Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted he briefly feared his side would fail to score before a dramatic late strike secured a 1-0 win against Sporting CP in their UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg on Tuesday night.
Naija News reports that Kai Havertz scored in the 91st minute to hand the Gunners a slender advantage ahead of the second-leg tie.
Arsenal were forced to rely heavily on goalkeeper David Raya, who produced several outstanding saves to keep the hosts at bay. At the other end, a goal from Martin Zubimendi was ruled out for offside as the visitors struggled to find their rhythm in attack.
Arteta conceded afterwards that his side lacked cutting edge in the final third and admitted he had doubts about whether the breakthrough would arrive.
“Yes, because when we got into the final third and we sat there we missed the final bit,” Arteta said.
“We had to be a little bit crisper, faster, more efficient to break them down when they had that block.
“We had a goal disallowed and there were two or three occasions where we were close but we lacked that final pass.
“In the end, a magic moment from the finishers wins us the game.”
