Inside Arsenal’s title doubts – and what will make the difference in Man City race

As the Arsenal players returned to the dressing room in Sporting’s Estadio Jose Alvalade, the Kai Havertz version of Shakira’s “Waka Waka” could be heard in celebration of the German’s winner. Mikel Arteta ’s squad have a relatable tendency to belt out supporter chants after especially joyous victories, of which there have been a few this season. Those wins also feel all the more special because there have been a fair few moments of tension and doubt, notably over the last two weeks.

Two domestic cup defeats in a row were cast as potentially bringing an emotional shift in the title race, as the international withdrawals only brought more noise . Winning in Lisbon has given Arteta’s team a new assurance ahead of a very awkward fixture (Getty) Against Sporting, Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli instead brought the joy back . This obviously isn’t to say that the situation was one of terminal gloom, but Arteta evidently felt the response in Lisbon was significant for reasons beyond just claiming a first-leg win in a Champions League quarter-final.

“It was a big night, a big moment in the season,” Arteta said. “Especially where we’re coming from, I think we had a point to prove. ” They now have a good feeling to savour, ahead of a Premier League match at home to Bournemouth on Saturday that sources are already building up as one of the stadium’s biggest in years.

That is all the more important given Manchester City ’s own surge. After the team completed a serious tactical number on Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final, it was like they enjoyed the release of a new conviction by letting loose against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Pep Guardiola ’s side were certainly enjoying their football there, which is why Arsenal’s win over Sporting was a required response.