‘No fear. Pure fire’: Mikel Arteta rallies wounded Arsenal before Sporting test

Manager calls on players and fans to embrace the chance of Champions League success despite recent defeats

There was a dramatic pause when Mikel Arteta was asked what he wants from the Arsenal supporters against Sporting on Wednesday evening in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

After his attempts to rouse them before the early kick-off against Bournemouth at the weekend by telling them to “bring your lunch” backfired spectacularly with a costly home defeat that ended with some fans booing the Premier League leaders off the pitch, this time the message was more considered.