Arsenal claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Sporting CP in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday.
The hosts carved out the first opening when Ousmane Diomande slipped a clever pass to Maxi Araujo on the left, but his fierce strike was brilliantly clawed onto the crossbar by David Raya.
Moments later, Araujo’s strike from 20 yards out flew just wide before Geny Catamo forced a save from David Raya at his near post.
At the other end, Noni Madueke came agonisingly close to an Olympic goal, as his wicked inswinging corner crashed off the bar before Martin Odegaard fired the rebound wide.
Neither side created any other clear-cut chances, and both sides went into the break goalless.
Four minutes after the restart, Leandro Trossard could’ve broken the deadlock, but his long-range effort flew wide before Raya got down quickly to deny Francisco Trincao at the other end.
Moments later, Martin Zubimendi thought he had given the Gunners the lead after his first-time shot found the bottom corner, but the goal was chalked off as Viktor Gyokeres was caught offside in the buildup.
Gabriel Martinelli forced Rui Silva into a low save before Raya made a double save at his near post, denying Catamo and Luis Suárez.
In the second minute of injury time, Kai Havertz finally broke the stalemate, receiving a precise pass from Martinelli before calmly slotting home the decisive winner.
Arsenal have a narrow advantage heading into the second leg at the Emirates Stadium next Wednesday.
