Kai Havertz snatches late victory for Arsenal to take control against Sporting

How Mikel Arteta will have treasured this win. Having come into their third successive appearance in the quarter-final of the Champions League on the back of devastating defeats in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, he had watched Arsenal put in another anxious performance against a spirited Sporting side who could have established a precious lead ahead of next week’s second leg in north London if they had taken their chances.

Instead it was Kai Havertz who again came to Arsenal’s rescue after scoring in the last round against his former club Bayer Leverkusen as he struck in injury time, with David Raya making a string of fine saves that underlined his importance to the side. After the doubts emerged in the defeats against Manchester City and Southampton, perhaps this will be the confidence boost that the Premier League leaders needed as they prepare to return to domestic action against Bournemouth on Saturday?