It was a difficult night for Arsenal in the Champions League as they laboured to a 0-0 draw at home against Sporting CP. That said, the goalless result was enough to send the Gunners through to the Champions League semi-finals, with a 1-0 win on aggregate.
Kai Havertz’s first-leg goal in Portugal was all that separated the teams, as Mikel Arteta’s men just about edged the margins across the tie. While his team will feel deserving of their spot in the last four, Sporting may be disappointed not to have gone further.
The away team managed to hit the post in London, as one goal would have been enough to take the match to extra time and perhaps then penalties. Adding to the frustration, Rui Borges’ side also had a strong penalty shout turned down.
Maximiliano Araujo Wanted Penalty After Cristhian Mosquera Push
The incident occurred in the second half as a deflected shot flew across the penalty box. Maximiliano Araujo attempted to reach the ball, but just couldn’t make it. However, he threw himself to the ground, suggesting that he’d been pushed as he tried to score.
Footage showed Arsenal defender Cristhian Mosquera definitely put his hands on the back of the Sporting defender. However, it seemed as though the touch was minimal and VAR saw no reason to overturn the on-field decision of referee Francois Letexier, who did not call a foul.
Former FIFA and Premier League official Keith Hackett has now weighed in with his thoughts on the incident. In a rather strong claim, he has accused Araujo of diving, telling Football Insider:
“This is an act of simulation; therefore, not a penalty kick offence. You can see the player prematurely going to dive, and frankly, should have received a yellow card for an act of simulation.”
It’s worth noting that Araujo was actually later booked, which would have resulted in a red card had he picked up a yellow for this supposed dive.
Arsenal managed to crawl over the line against Sporting in the Champions League but one star in particular came under the microscope
Declan Rice Dismisses Negativity as Arsenal Make Champions League Semis
While Arsenal were not at their best, they will still be delighted to make it to the Champions League semi-finals. This is actually the first time the club have ever reached this stage of the competition in consecutive seasons, losing to Paris Saint-Germain at that hurdle last term.
Dismissing the idea that there’s any reason to be negative, Declan Rice told media after the game: “Frustrating? Nah, we’ve just got to a semi-final. No frustration, positivity all the way.
“Who cares what people think? All that matters is what this group thinks, what the manager thinks and we’re in another semi-final. I’m delighted. “You want to be able to score goals. Most teams that come here, we play against 5-4-1 every time so there’s a bit of perspective with that. Every time we’ve played this season changes from a four to a five to defend against us so the spaces aren’t there as much. “It’s on us to find ways to score and break it down but we’re playing against top players every week. We’ll keep going, keep playing well, keep getting over the line. Bring it on.”
On meeting Atletico Madrid in the next round, he also said: “Delighted, so, so happy. It was a really tough test over two games but to go back-to-back semi-finals is an amazing achievement for this group and we want to now go one step further than last year and get to the final.
“We’ve played Atletico already this year, it was a really good game and we know what to expect so bring on these last couple of weeks.”
Julian Alvarez has already made his decision over a potential move to Arsenal after Atletico Madrid reportedly agreed to sell the Argentina international to the Premier League club.
The South American netted 36 goals in 103 games for Man City, winning two Premier League titles in the process, but decided to leave the Etihad Stadium in order to become first choice striker under Diego Simeone in the Spanish capital.
In 106 games for Atletico, Alvarez has scored 49 goals. He bagged 29 goals in 57 games during his debut campaign at the Metropolitano Stadium before hitting 20 in 49 matches last term.
His eye-catching performances have left him high on several top European clubs’ summer transfer wish-lists.
Barcelona met with Alvarez’s representatives in May, per ESPN, after being informed the Argentine preferred a move to Camp Nou over Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal.
Atletico subsequently accused Barcelona of a “relentless smear campaign” in their pursuit of the 26-year-old World Cup winner.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Atletico Open to Selling Alvarez to Arsenal
Reuters/Paul Childs
While Atletico remain determined not to sell Alvarez to a direct La Liga rival, they are now open to selling the player to Premier League champions Arsenal, according to Mundo Deportivo.
Atleti fans made their feelings clear towards Alvarez during a recent 2-0 win over Malaga. The striker was omitted from the matchday squad amid the ongoing transfer controversy but still received hostile chants from the club’s supporters.
In response, Atletico boss Simeone told reporters, per GOAL: “I have great respect for our people. We are open – as we always say – to specific possibilities. You know this after 15 years, I always say that until the window closes, I am open to anything that might happen. That doesn’t mean I’m talking about any specific individual, is that clear?”
Meanwhile, eye-opening images comparing Alvarez’s 2026-27 pre-season photo to 2024-25 and 2025-26 have gone viral on social media.
Alvarez Not Interested in Arsenal Move
Despite the fact the relationship between unsettled Alvarez and Atletico is currently on the rocks, Alvarez has no desire to join Arsenal, according to Mundo Deportivo.
The report says Alvarez will only leave Atletico for his “dream” destination: Barcelona.
It seems the Argentine – who has an astronomical €500 million release clause – is determined to link up with his former Man City teammate Rodri at Camp Nou before the transfer window closes.
It remains to be seen whether a move to Arsenal will become more appealing to Alvarez the closer we edge to the September 1 deadline day.
Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz are currently Arsenal’s first-choice forwards, but Alvarez would have the potential to be a game-changing signing for the Gunners.
Tottenham Hotspur have reached a verbal agreement with Manchester City to sign Savinho in a deal worth in excess of £75m, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Spurs have had a strong interest in the Brazil winger for well over 12 months after trying to sign him last summer, before City decided against allowing him to move on and tied him down to a new long-term contract.
But after a season of struggling to feature regularly in the first-team under Pep Guardiola, the north London club have now pushed to get a deal done, and an agreement has finally been reached to add him to Roberto De Zerbi’s squad.
According to a report by the ever-reliable Romano, the two clubs have now reached a verbal agreement for a deal worth more than £75m, and the player is set to travel for a medical with Spurs ahead of the season opener this weekend.
A move to Tottenham could be exactly what he needs to kick-start his career in the Premier League, and Spurs are now pushing to make it happen.
Former Tottenham striker Mido posted on X back in April 2024, suggesting that he previously advised Tottenham to sign Mohamed Salah while he was still at Basel.
Mido also suggests in the same post that he has another suggestion for Tottenham.
Over two years ago, the former Egyptian international urged Daniel Levy to sign Marmoush while he was at Eintracht Frankfurt.
It looks as though Tottenham are finally getting the man Mido wanted, despite Marmoush being set to play under a different manager and ownership than the one in charge two years ago.
Savinho could complete exciting double deal
via Reuters
Although Tottenham shouldn’t be signing players based on the recommendations of some of their former stars, Mido was certainly correct in his praise for Marmoush.
The Egyptian forward went on to join Manchester City shortly after Mido hyped the attacker, and it could be an exciting addition for Spurs.
Bringing in both Marmoush and Savinho would significantly improve Tottenham’s attacking options, giving Roberto De Zerbi plenty to work with.
Although the focus has been on how significantly Tottenham have spent in the middle of the park, we could see a huge double deal in the forward line over the coming weeks.
