Arsenal 0-0 (1-0 agg) Sporting: Player ratings as Gunners scrape into semi-finals

Arsenal secured their spot in the semi-finals of the Champions League with a scrappy 1-0 aggregate win over Sporting following a 0-0 draw in the second leg.

Declan Rice was named in the starting lineup despite missing Tuesday's training session due to illness and he led his side out as captain for the clash. Cristhian Mosquera, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke were also among the starters.

The Gunners almost played themselves into trouble twice in the first-half, but were thankful to be bailed out on both occasions. William Saliba was guilty of sending a poor pass straight into the feet of a Sporting player, allowing them to attack. Gabriel Martinelli then came to his side's rescue when he darted back to win possession after the visitors looked to counterattack following a free kick.

Sporting almost went in front minutes before the break when Geny Catamo struck the foot of the post with an effort on the volley, with that missed strike meaning the score was level at half-time with Arsenal leading on aggregate.

Sporting didn't have the same energy after the halfway point, but the Gunners still couldn't capitalise and make their advantage more comfortable.

Arteta made changes to his side, bringing on Kai Havertz and Max Dowman with the hopes of sparking something in attack, but nothing really came from it other than a few half chances. Substitute Leandro Trossard did strike the post with a header from a corner late on though.

Arsenal saw out the remainder of the game to seal their spot in the last four and set up a tie with Atletico Madrid. It was far from the greatest performance of all times, but the Gunners will be eagerly waiting their clash with the Spanish side in a matter of weeks.

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from their second leg draw with Sporting.

Arsenal 0-0 Sporting (1-0 agg) player ratings

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - 6.5/10 - Sent the ball long so much more than recently, but did get bailed out after playing a poor short pass. Steady otherwise.

Cristhian Mosquera (RB) - 6.5/10 - Almost conceded a penalty for a push at the back post, but appeals were waved away. Made some runs forward and defended relatively well.

William Saliba (CB) - 6.5/10 - Guilty of playing a poor pass that allowed Sporting to race at goal. Improved from there and did well against the visitors' attack.

Gabriel Magalhaes (CB) - 7/10 - Did get away with a sloppy error, but was steady otherwise and the better centre back on the night.

Piero Hincapié (LB) - 6.5/10 - Allowed Catamo space when he struck the post in the first half. Defended relatively well in other moments. Took us back to the Bellerin days with a foul throw.

Midfielders

Martín Zubimendi (CM) - 7/10 - Got forward well to help out in attack, but his efforts didn't pay off before half-time. A lot more steady at the base this evening and a huge improvement on his performance against Bournemouth.

Declan Rice (CM) - 7/10 - His set piece deliveries weren't at their best with Silva being relatively comfortable in dealing with them. Helped control the game well otherwise.

Eberechi Eze (AM) - 6.5/10 - Wasted a few good chances to play a killer pass and also had opportunities fall his way on the edge, but he lashed at them. Withdrawn with just over 10 minutes remaining.

Forwards

Noni Madueke (RW) - 6/10 - Struggled to get the better of his marker and didn't really cause any problems with his set piece deliveries either. Forced off with injury just after the hour mark.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) - 6/10 - Saw a shot fly over the bar in the first-half, but that was his only real contribution against his former side before being taken off 10 minutes after the break.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - 6.5/10 - Made a great run back to cut out a Sporting counterattack. Caused a few little problems down the left, but largely nothing to shout about. Taken off late on.

Substitutes

• Kai Havertz (on 56' for Gyökeres) - 6/10
• Max Dowman (on 63' for Madueke) - 6.5/10
• Gabriel Jesus (on 79' for Eze) - 6/10
• Leandro Trossard (on 79' for Martinelli) - 6.5/10

Arsenal player of the match: Martín Zubimendi

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