Mikel Arteta's Arsenal will carry a narrow 1-0 lead back to north London following a laboured display against Portuguese side Sporting.

Kai Havertz emerged from the bench to crush Sporting's hopes with a stoppage-time winner, leaving Arsenal well-placed to reach the semi-finals. To the frustration of the travelling supporters and viewers worldwide, Arsenal continued in the same vein as their previous two matches... and not in a positive manner.

Within just five minutes, Maximiliano Araujo struck the woodwork with a fierce effort from the penalty area's edge - replays revealed returning goalkeeper David Raya managed to get fingertips to the ball.

Martin Odegaard lacked a spark in the Arsenal midfield(Image: Getty)

Set-pieces, as expected, offered Arsenal's greatest menace, yet it proved another grinding display from the away side.

Martin Zubimendi did find the target midway through the second period with a delightful curled finish, though Viktor Gyokeres was in an offside position during the build-up.

Raya produced several excellent stops to maintain parity, before substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Havertz combined brilliantly in stoppage time to secure...