Arsenal FC player ratings vs Sporting: Martin Zubimendi much improved as Piero Hincapie shines on return

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Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting: Martin Zubimendi much improved as Piero Hincapie shines on return

Gunners not at their best but get the result they needed to reach the Champions League semi-finals

Martin Zubimendi provided a response amid recent criticism of his performances

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Matt Verri

1 minute ago

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Your matchday briefing on Arsenal, featuring team news and expert analysis from Matt Verri

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Arsenal booked their place in the Champions League semi-finals with a goalless draw against Sporting CP in north London.

Holding a 1-0 aggregate lead after victory in Lisbon a week ago, an uneventful night was good enough for the Gunners to set up a last-four tie with Atletico Madrid.

Geny Catamo hit the post with volley and Leandro Trossard did the same with a late header, but a match largely lacking in clear-cut chances suited Arsenal just fine.

Matt Verri was at the Emirates to rate the Arsenal players...

David Raya 6

Distribution was really shaky. Fortunate a terrible pass out was not punished by Goncalves, and then hammered it straight out when trying to pick out Gabriel. But dominant when needed aerially in closing stages.

Cristhian Mosquera 7

Impressive in tracking Araujo’s runs in behind and did just enough with slight shove to stop him having a tap-in, even if he was maybe fortunate. Cut inside too easily after the break when Araujo fired wide.

William Saliba 6

Sloppy on the ball to allow Trincao to fire wide and Suarez got the better of him physically at times. Not as calm and composed as usual - bit too rushed in and out of possession.

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Gabriel 7

Solid without needing to embody the warrior spirit he often can. Corners went deep to the back post rather than aiming for him. Another clean sheet ticked off.

Piero Hincapie 8

Very aggressive one-on-one with Catamo early on and got the better of him. Full of energy in attack too and had some nice moments with Martinelli. His availability is big with Calafiori out. Led the way with six tackles.

Martin Zubimendi 7

Much better in the first half. Zip was back to his play, driving forward, and noticeable effort to progress the ball through the lines. Faded in the second-half and weight of pass suffered as he tired.

Declan Rice 5

Did not look fully fit from the start and even more so after a heavy knock. Played deeper than he has been, with Zubimendi the one to push on, and had less of an influence. Good effort to get through the match.

Noni Madueke 4

Wasteful yet again. Good at half-beating a man but just no end product to go with it. Took far too many touches before firing a decent opening into side-netting. Forced off with injury.

Eberechi Eze 7

Deserved better than Gyokeres repeatedly wasting his link-up play. He looked the obvious difference maker whenever he got on the ball, some lovely incisive passes. Struggled to get involved in the second-half.

Eberechi Eze impressed on his first Arsenal start since the last-16 second leg

Arsenal FC via Getty Images

Gabriel Martinelli 5

Brilliant pace to track back and stop a dangerous Catamo break. That was his only meaningful contribution. Lashed an effort over the bar under the pressure and threatened to get the better of Quaresma but fairly quiet.

Viktor Gyokeres 3

Not good enough. Sliced one good chance high and wide. Touches and flicks were so poor when found by Eze - just not technically secure enough to link up. Deservedly hooked early in second half.

Substitutes:

Kai Havertz (Gyokeres 56’) 6

Much more of a presence up front than Gyokeres and made a nuisance of himself. Attempts to win cheap fouls did not work with this referee.

Max Dowman (Madueke 63’) 6

Really brave. Kept running at Sporting, even when kicked to the floor or even hit to the head. Trusted with corners, nearly had an assist for Trossard. Better tracking back too.

Gabriel Jesus (Eze 79’) 5

Some nice touches and got into good positions out wide, but could not pick out the necessary pass.

Leandro Trossard (Martinelli 79’) 6

Unlucky not to open the scoring when his header from a deep corner hit the post. Secure on the ball late on.

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