The feeling after the final whistle was not like a team that had just won a ticket to the Champions League semi-finals for the second time in a row. Arsenal went on, but it was relief mixed with caution rather than explosive joy. A clear feeling that they had escaped danger by a hair's breadth, and next time, it might not be so lucky.
If Joao Simoes' finish in the 90+4 minute went in a different direction, the match would have entered extra time - a scenario that is almost a disaster for Arsenal's fitness before the great battle this weekend. In the current psychological state, The Gunners' admission is not as certain as the final result reflects.
Before the match, Mikel Arteta called on fans to bring "the flame of passion" and "no fear" to the Emirates. But the reality is different. The stands did not explode, but were covered by hesitation, as if emotions were suppressed.
That atmosphere is completely opposite to a year ago, when Real Madrid traveled to London. At that time, belief and optimism were overflowing - partly because the Premier League race was almost decided. Arsenal could focus all their strength on the Champions League.
And currently, they are torn between many goals. The pressure from the championship race makes the psychology heavy. Fans no longer dare to dream big, instead there is fear of a familiar ending. "Enjoy the current position of the club" - Arteta said after the match. However, that is clearly not easy to achieve.
That unstable mentality reflected on the playing style. Arsenal made many mistakes, especially in defense. David Raya and William Saliba both had dangerous misplaced passes when deployed from the lower line. Sometimes, their system evokes the fragility of a team lacking control.
Fortunately, they did not pay the price. But against sharper opponents, the outcome will certainly be different. What is worrying is that this is no longer an isolated issue and has appeared since the match against Bournemouth before. A defense once considered the most solid in Europe is now shaking.
The clearest opportunity in the first half came from Sporting, when Geny Catamo's volley hit the post after a beautiful combination. That was a clear warning about the fragility of the "Gunners".
In the opposite direction, Arsenal also did not take advantage of the opponent's mistakes. Names like Noni Madueke lacked decisiveness, while the whole team handled situations too perfectionistically in decisive situations. Hesitation caused opportunities to slip away in regret.
A rare moment of hope came in the 57th minute, when Madueke accelerated and finished close to the goal. But immediately after that, he had to leave the field due to a knee injury.
Another situation also clearly showed a change in psychology. That was Declan Rice's free kick. If a year ago, he was the one who made the difference against Real Madrid, this time he missed, creating opportunities for the opponent to counter-attack. Even the factors that once brought breakthroughs no longer had the highest confidence.
The second half saw Sporting play more brightly, with notable opportunities from Maximiliano Araujo and Simoes. However, Arsenal also gradually regained the game and controlled better.
In the end, Arsenal still completed the task. They went on, just like they did in the first leg - enough to win, but not convincing. The problem is that there is no room for fragility ahead for The Gunners. When traveling to Etihad to face Manchester City, Arsenal needs more than luck. They need a stronger, more confident and decisive version.
