Manager targets improved finishing as Gunners aim to end European away-day struggles.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has called on his side to step up their game in Europe, demanding greater ruthlessness as they prepare to face Sporting Lisbon in a crucial Champions League encounter on Tuesday.
The Gunners head into the match on the back of a confidence-boosting 3-0 Premier League win over Nottingham Forest, which ended a three-game winless run. However, their recent away form in Europe has been less inspiring.
Arsenal’s last Champions League away victory came over a year ago, in October 2023, against Sevilla. This season, the north London side has yet to secure an away win in the competition, suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to Inter Milan earlier this month and playing out a goalless draw with Atalanta in September.
Arteta Calls for Clinical Edge
Arteta emphasized the importance of being more efficient in front of goal to turn results around on the road.
“It’s certainly something we have to improve,” he said. “We’ve made progress, but the reality is that we haven’t been able to make it count away from home. To win consistently, especially in the Champions League, you have to be ruthless and efficient in the opposition box.”
He added: “The Champions League is all about small margins, details, and efficiency. We need to get those right to come away with three points, especially against a team as strong as Sporting.”
Tough Test Against Unbeaten Sporting
Sporting Lisbon, unbeaten in both their domestic league and European competition this season, represent a significant challenge. Leading their charge is in-form striker Viktor Gyökeres, who has scored an astonishing 59 goals in 55 games for club and country this calendar year, including a hat-trick against Manchester City earlier in November.
While Arteta was full of praise for Gyökeres, he sidestepped questions about a potential move for the Swedish forward, who has been linked with top Premier League clubs.
Defensive Boost Amid Injuries
Arsenal’s preparations have been hampered by injuries to defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu, but there’s some relief in the return of Kieran Tierney. The full-back, sidelined since a hamstring injury in August, has been back in full training and is included in the squad for the first time since Arsenal’s Community Shield win over Manchester City in 2023.
Arteta will hope Tierney’s return adds defensive solidity as Arsenal aim to find their cutting edge and put an end to their European away-day woes.
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