Credit: Imago

Jack Dawson

Thu 16 April 2026 9:00, UK

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Chris Sutton has insisted that people should not read into Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Sporting CP on Wednesday as they progressed into the semi-finals of the Champions League.

After the Gunners lost 2-1 to AFC Bournemouth on the weekend, many fans were hoping to see the club quickly bounce back with a comprehensive victory.

Instead, it was another tough watch at the Emirates, with both sides creating little.

Yet, this proved to be enough for Mikel Arteta’s side are they reached the Champions League semi-finals for consecutive seasons.

Now, Sutton has insisted that this is the bottom line regarding Arsenal’s recent priceless result.

Chris Sutton: Arsenal completed what they set out to achieve vs Sporting CP

Arsenal have had plenty of critics this season, and they were once again out in force after their draw with Sporting.

The hosts created little, despite having many superior players compared to their opponents, as they just about got over the line.

Yet, they did exactly what they needed to do, and Sutton made this point on X on 15 April.

He said: “People will hammer Arsenal for drawing 0-0, but bottom line is they are through to the Champions League semi final… they can attack better, but the bottom line is it’s job done and they accomplished tonight what they set out to achieve.

“You’d rather be Arsenal than City tonight.”

Here, Sutton is completely right. After the defeat to Bournemouth on the weekend, this was a game that Arsenal simply could not lose.

People will hammer Arsenal for drawing 0-0 but bottom line is they are through to the Champions League semi final… they can attack better but the bottom line is it’s job done and they accomplished tonight what they set out to achieve. You’d rather be Arsenal than City tonight

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) April 15, 2026

While the game and the display was by no means memorable, it got them through, and they are now three matches away from lifting the trophy.

At this stage of the season, performances no longer matter – results do. If Arsenal play like that from now until the end of the season, and still win both the Premier League and Champions League, few of their fans will care.

Could Mikel Arteta be sacked by Arsenal?

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown exclusively told Football Insider that Arteta must deliver trophies at Arsenal to ease any pressure on him.

The Gunners are currently on a trophy drought, and there is now an expectation that this will end this season, especially given the situation they find themselves in.

Therefore, if this is not achieved, the Spaniard could face significant pressure from the fanbase to be removed from the dugout, with time running out to deliver.

However, it remains to be seen if Arteta can pull this off and ensure this campaign does down in history for the right reasons.