Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Year : 2, Issue: 13
Reuters: Arsenal need to be ruthless to secure a win against Sporting and snap their negative run of form away from home in the Champions League, manager Mikel Arteta said ahead of Tuesday’s clash.
Winless in their last four European outings, Arsenal arrived in Portugal following a 1-0 defeat against Inter Milan at San Siro earlier this month.
Arteta’s side currently sit 12th in the new Champions League 36-team format, where the top eight teams qualify automatically for the last 16 and the next 16 enter a two-legged playoff to join them.
The Spaniard acknowledged that improving their away form is key to his team’s chances in Europe’s top-tier club competition.
“It’s certainly something we have to improve. We have the right steps, and looking back at the way we played against Inter, we dominated the game and should have won,” Arteta told a news conference on Monday.
Sporting, who thrashed Manchester City 4-1 in their last outing, are enjoying an outstanding campaign, remaining unbeaten in second place with 10 points.
Arteta acknowledged the Portuguese champions pose a major challenge for Arsenal but also offer an opportunity for a morale-boosting triumph.
