LONDON — Mikel Arteta insisted Arsenal's angst-ridden progress to the Champions League semifinals proved his side has the character to cope with the mounting pressure on its bid to end a six-year trophy drought.

Arteta's men survived an anxious quarterfinal second leg against Portuguese side Sporting on Wednesday, as they held on for a goalless draw that secured a 1-0 aggregate victory.

The Gunners were well below their best at the Emirates Stadium, but Sporting couldn't take advantage as Geny Catamo went closest for the visitor with a first-half volley that smacked off the post.

It was the latest in a growing list of spluttering displays from Arsenal, which has lost three of its last five games in all competitions, winning just once in that period.

But Arteta is adamant that Arsenal's ability to grind out yet another vital result, despite an ugly performance, showed that its spirit and desire remain strong amid criticism of its perceived mental weakness.

"We are not perfect, we recognize that, but there is value in what the players have done," said Arteta, whose club faces Atletico Madrid in the semifinals.

"My message was gratitude for the effort they put in. There was a lot of work put in. We had to do it in a very special way, missing a lot of important players.

"We had many things that are important in getting a result. It is about how you compete, and, when you are trying to win titles, that is what you need."

With Arsenal missing the injured Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Jurrien Timber, Arteta saluted Declan Rice's decision to face Sporting, despite being unable to train on Tuesday.

Rice's tenacious effort symbolized the attitude that Arteta demands from his team.

"One hundred percent, especially in moments of difficulty or when we gave the ball away. Declan, yesterday, was shattered. He had no chance to play," Arteta explained.

"He was not feeling good at all, but he played 94 minutes today. He is a great leader and one of our top players.

"I wish we were doing an Arsenal documentary this season, then you could see everything that has happened in the last 48 hours.

"You would think Arsenal are in the bottom two with the way people are talking."

'A massive boost'

Arsenal is through to the Champions League semifinals in successive seasons for the first time in the club's history.

The Gunners, who beat Atletico 4-0 in the league phase in October, will travel to Madrid for the first leg on April 29, with the second leg at the Emirates on May 5.

"It's a massive moment. To be part of those four teams is great work. It's a great night," Arteta said.

"I'm very happy for all our people. We are taking steps that haven't been taken at this club for 140 years.

"We are going to have two magical nights against Atletico. The things Diego Simeone has done there are impressive. The tie is open for both teams."

Beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in the last four 12 months ago, the north Londoners are hoping to reach the final for the first time since 2006.

Arsenal, which has never won the Champions League, is also chasing its first Premier League title in more than two decades.

It sits six points clear at the top of the Premier League, but second-placed Manchester City has a game in hand and hosts the Gunners in a seismic showdown on Sunday.

Arteta is confident Arsenal's progress in the Champions League will provide a significant lift heading into the crunch clash with City, which has hit a vein of form just as Arsenal has stumbled.

"It is a massive boost. To get to the Champions League semifinals is extremely tough. We are going to enjoy it, because we deserve it," he said.

AFP