Sporting Lisbon skipper Morten Hjulmand branded Arsenal’s Champions League stalemate “boring”, accusing the Gunners of breaking up play with deliberate delays at set-pieces.
Arsenal advanced to the semi-finals for the first time in their history after Kai Havertz’s goal in the first leg proved decisive, but Hjulmand said the second leg lacked rhythm: “The game had low intensity and no rhythm, zero goals, and I would say boring.”
Despite Sporting hitting the post and missing chances, Arsenal held firm to secure a 1-0 aggregate win. Coach Rui Borges insisted his side “deserved more” and praised their fight against one of Europe’s top teams.
Arsenal now face Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals, having won just once in four matches since the international break.
