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The ghosts of Arsenal’s previous seasons were lingering in the Lisbon air.

The naysayers had the words ‘bottle jobs’ ready on their tongues.

Even the nerves of the jack-in-the-box character that is Mikel Arteta was plain clear, exuding onto the pitch and into the stands.

You see, this was more than a Champions League quarter-final for Arsenal. They could not afford to falter. Not one bit. Two consecutive losses spelt a campaign teetering on the precipice of doubt; three would be slowly edging towards terminal damage territory.

Losing to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final is disappointing from a Gunners perspective, but no disgrace. The capitulation against Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-finals, though, told a different story; one suggesting that the rising tide of pressure had crept into the north London club’s boat.

For a team labelled as nearly men, the kind of which falter at final hurdles, Sporting Lisbon away was an important marker after the recent events.

Kai Havertz scored a late winner for...

Continue Reading: Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Arsenal: Kai Havertz snatches dramatic late winner

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