Mikel Arteta may have breathed a sigh of relief following Arsenal’s 1-0 win over Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final, but critics are still not convinced.
Despite getting back to winning ways thanks to Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time strike and a crucial save from goalkeeper David Raya, the Gunners were given a stark warning: they are not performing at the same level as European juggernauts Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
A sobering assessment was presented by Chelsea midfielder and ESPN analyst Craig Burley.
While admitting that Arsenal are now overwhelming favorites to reach the semi-finals, where they will face either Barcelona or Atlético Madrid, Burley insisted that hovering on the “kinder” side of the draw hides significant flaws.
Arsenal have been warned despite winning against Sporting
‘According to the results it is clear that he is taking it,’ Burley said on ESPN, as reported by Metro.
‘Sports are one of the weakest teams left if not the weakest team but Arsenal were not strong, we know that.
‘I think they are home and dry after that result without a disaster at home. Whoever the opposition is, in the quarterfinals of the Champions League, you get a 1-0 lead to take home next week – you accept that.
‘They will have to raise their game, if they go through against Sporting, which they should, and reach the semi-finals, if they don’t finish their game… I mean, did you see the other game tonight, Real Madrid vs Bayern?
At the moment Arsenal, although they have everyone talking about the depth of their squad and that they will win the Premier League, they need to play better.
‘The level that Bayern and Real Madrid reached today – and we know they can both be better – I don’t think Arsenal… they really have to change that again to get to that level.
Is anyone surprised that Arsenal won 1-0 against one of the weakest teams left? That’s all I’m saying.
‘In the big picture, they have to get the extra gear they had at the beginning of the season, otherwise they won’t win this tournament. I’m not negative, that’s all.’
Is Burley’s criticism justified for Mikel Arteta’s team?
Burley’s criticism carries heavy weight when Arsenal’s recent domestic faltering is included.
Before the hard-fought victory in Portugal, the North Londoners suffered back-to-back defeats, losing 2-0 to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final, followed by a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Southampton.
Those setbacks punctured Arsenal’s aura of invincibility for a while, raising familiar questions about their mental strength during the spring run.
Arteta himself admitted that his side had “a point to prove” against Sporting, praising his side’s resilience to defeat a side that had not lost in 23 league games.
However, getting past a stubborn defensive block in Lisbon is a very different challenge than going toe-to-toe with the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.
A big test will come for Arsenal and Arteta in the coming weeks but so far, they are unbeaten in the Champions League this season and are the only team to boast such a record.
Arsenal’s result just gave Liverpool and Chelsea the upper hand in the UCL
