Arsenal head to Sporting Lisbon in the next round of Champions League fixtures but have not won in the competition on away soil in over a year which Mikel Arteta is desperate to put right
Mikel Arteta admits Arsenal must improve their Champions League travel sickness to be genuine contenders.
Incredibly, Arsenal have not won on the road in Europe since their victory at Sevilla in the group stages in October 2023. That is just one win in eight Champions League games and they have failed to score in their last four away ties.
Gunners boss Arteta also pointed to Arsenal’s form and season really taking off after last November’s international break and is hoping a morale-boosting win in Lisbon can have a similar effect. They reached the Champions League quarter-finals last season and are viewed as one of the favourites but Arteta is quick to realise they must improve their away form.
Arteta said: “It’s certainly something we have to improve. Not all the games have been the same. It’s true that within those games there were games that were when we had already qualified.
“Something that is very true is that we have to improve those results and we have to find ways to understand what has been missing. Sometimes it’s been performance sometimes it’s been other aspects. That’s the next step we have to make as a team.
“We have made the right steps and, looking back with the way we played against Inter, which is a team that has been so dominant in their league, reached the final of the Champions League which they should have won. To play and dominate that game.
“But the reality is that you have to make it happen and we didn’t. Making those steps is what we have to do next. Be ruthless, be efficient in the opposition box and do what we have to do to take the three points away from here.
“I wouldn’t say that this is the most important thing but the efficiency that we have shown inside the box at this level with the chances that we are normally able to generate in the Champions League, is not at the level required to win consistently.
“I always say the Champions League is about boxes, small margins and details. You have to get all of those right to win, especially away from home. We have 32 games until the next international break and the important thing is we have nearly everyone back and fit. That’s important when you are looking for momentum and big results.”
Arsenal face an in-form Sporting Lisbon side who smashed Manchester City 4-1 in their last Champions League clash against English opposition. They have lost manager Ruben Amorim since then and Joao Pereira has stepped up but they still boast much-coveted striker Viktor Gyokeres who hit a hat-trick in that City game.
But Arteta was reluctant to even mention his name which perhaps told its own story as Arsenal have been so heavily linked with him as a potential striker target. Arteta added: “I would like to talk about the team, about the coaches and how phenomenal they have been. The run they are in is incredible. I understand the question but they have a lot of individual qualities. And yes in the specific position they have great players.”
Arsenal welcome back fit-again Kieran Tierney into their squad and, even though the Scotland full-back is unlikely to get any minutes, he is set to be on the bench and remains a popular figure. Arteta added: “It’s great news that he’s back, he’s been training with the team and he’s at the level to participate.”
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