LISBON: Kai Havertz scored late to secure a one-goal advantage for Arsenal as their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie against Sporting CP heads to London next Wednesday.
The second leg of the tie at Emirates Stadium will determine who will go through to the semifinal to face either Atletico Madrid or Barcelona.
The first half had ended goalless, though both sides struck the crossbar early on.
First was Sporting’s Maximiliano Araújo, who raced on to Ousmane Diomande’s excellent pass in the sixth minute but saw his blistering left-footed effort tipped onto the crossbar by David Raya.
Arsenal’s turn to threaten came nine minutes later – Noni Madueke rattling woodwork directly from an inswinging corner before Martin Odegaard shot wide from the rebound.