Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta called for perspective before the quarter-final first-leg visit to Sporting on Tuesday night and the Gunners’ mini-crisis was subsequently averted following a last-gasp 1-0 win.
Arteta’s side had entered that contest following losses in the League Cup final and quarter-finals of the FA Cup in back-to-back matches, but a crucial midweek European win has softened the landing of a return to Premier League football, where their form has remained consistently good in recent weeks.
Arsenal resume domestic affairs knowing a win against Bournemouth will stretch their lead at the top of the table to 12 points, with Manchester City not travelling to Chelsea until Sunday.
A victory against the Cherries would also equal Arsenal’s longest winning run this season of five Premier League fixtures, a feat they have achieved twice already in 2025-26.
Central to their success in recent matches has been teenager Max Dowman. The 16-year-old scored in Arsenal’s last league outing against Everton to seal a 2-0 win, while his appearance as a second-half substitute against Sporting earlier this week when the game was still goalless demonstrated his increased trust to play in the biggest matches.