It was far from convincing for Mikel Arteta's side as it held on to the lead given to them by Kai Havertz's stoppage-time goal in Lisbon last week.

The well-organised visitors posed a threat at times and almost went ahead on the night shortly before half-time when Geny Catamo's volley clipped the outside of the post.

Arsenal substitute Leandro Trossard also struck the woodwork in the tense latter stages of a dour game in which Sporting ran out of ideas and could not prevent the hosts keeping an eighth clean sheet in 12 UEFA Champions League games this season to set up a semi-final clash with Atletico Madrid.

While the result was ultimately all that mattered, Arsenal again lacked spark and suffered an injury scare ahead of this weekend's colossal Premier League clash at Manchester City when Noni Madueke was forced off after a bang to the knee.

Arsenal bowed out in the semi-finals last season to eventual winner Paris Saint-Germain and will have to improve against a dangerous Atletico side if it is to reach the final for only the second time, having lost to Barcelona in 2006.

As huge as this match was, the looming clash with Manchester City which could make or break Arsenal's Premier League title quest was impossible to ignore.

Arsenal appeared to play with the handbrake on, managing only one effort on target, and they could have paid the price with Sporting's Joao Simoes going agonisingly close with a shot with the last kick of the game.

Having suffered in front of goal once again, Arsenal's Declan Rice was asked if the Gunners were frustrated with their performance.

"Frustrating? No, we just got to the semi-final, positivity all the way," he said at the full-time whistle.

"Who cares what people think? All that matters is what this group thinks, what the manager thinks, and we're in another semi-final. I'm delighted.

"We'll keep going. Keep playing well. Keep getting over the line and bring it on. Bring on everything."

Rice said of Arsenal's recent struggles: "Like being at any other top club, there's noise with everything,

"This is Arsenal, there's noise with every game. If you don't play well, take it with a pinch of salt and keep moving.

"Bring on the last few weeks. It's a rollercoaster. Nobody's going to hand you anything in this game. Let's keep going, and what will be, will be. Let's keep going strong."

Immediately looking ahead to City, which trails in the Premier League title race by six points but boasts a game in hand, Rice insisted that Arsenal will travel to the blue side of Manchester looking for the win, rather than settling for a point.

"Of course, you have to win every game," the Englishman continued. "We want to win every game in the Premier League.

"Our record this year has been amazing in all competitions. It's why we play the game. It's a game of football at the end of the day. [It's about] how much you want it, so I know I'll be ready, I know the boys will be ready, so let's go."