LONDON -- Mikel Arteta has urged Arsenal fans to enjoy where we are after reaching the Champions League semifinals amid criticism of their performances. The Gunners played out a 0-0 draw against Sporting CP to secure a spot in the last four and set up a tie with Atlético Madrid. It marks the first time in the club's history that they have appeared in back-to-back semifinals of Europe's premier club competition, though they mustered just one shot on target and had to rely on their resilience to secure a 1-0 aggregate win.

Arsenal are also top of the Premier League but face lingering questions about their ability to end a six-year trophy drought after losing the Carabao Cup Final to Manchester City before exiting the FA Cup at Championship side Southampton. The Gunners have never won the Champions League and are aiming to lift the Premier League trophy for the first time in 22 years. Arteta cited the Amazon All or Nothing documentary, hinting that there had been a disproportionate backlash against his team after a tricky run.

Arteta revealed that Declan Rice had defied all expectations to play the full game against Sporting despite missing training a day earlier. Noni Madueke will need to be assessed ahead of Sunday's mammoth trip to City -- who are six points behind Arsenal but with a game-in-hand -- after being forced off on Wednesday with a knee problem. The manager's comments reflect growing frustration with the scrutiny facing his team despite their impressive European run.