{"id":1431,"date":"2026-04-10T07:15:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T07:15:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1431"},"modified":"2026-04-10T07:15:41","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T07:15:41","slug":"arsenal-star-says-they-are-back-on-track-but-admits-im-still-really-disappointed-and-sad","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/?p=1431","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal star says they are back on track but admits: &#8216;I\u2019m still really disappointed and sad&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_09e96c\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Arsenal have taken charge of their Champions League quarter-final after Kai Havertz&#8217;s late goal handed them a 1-0 win over Sporting Lisbon in Portugal on Tuesday night<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36984739\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Riccardo Calafiori admits it has been one of the toughest fortnights of his career\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36984739.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2269700722.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36984739.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2269700722.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36984739.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2269700722.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36984739.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2269700722.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Riccardo Calafiori admits it has been one of the toughest fortnights of his career\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Riccardo Calafiori admits it has been one of the toughest fortnights of his career<cite aria-label=\"Image: 2026 Sports Press Photo\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: 2026 Sports Press Photo)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Riccardo Calafiori says Arsenal are looking like themselves again after one of the hardest fortnights of his career.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Gunners got their season \u201cback on track\u201d with an impressive Champions League win at Sporting Lisbon to give themselves a huge chance of reaching their first-ever back-to-back semi finals. But that came on the back of the worst two games of the season after Arsenal lost the Carabao Cup final to Manchester City and were then knocked out of the FA Cup at Southampton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And on top of that, Calafiori suffered the heartbreak of losing a World Cup play-off with Italy after they suffered a penalty shoot-out defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Italy have failed to reach the World Cup for the third time in a row which has only heightened Calafiori\u2019s determination to ensure this season finishes in glory with Arsenal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Calafiori admitted the mood has been low after those back-to-back defeats but the win at Sporting has restored their confidence and belief ready for the title run-in as they face a crunch game with Bournemouth on Saturday.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_4f362a\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">Thierry Henry singles out Arsenal&#8217;s biggest problem that could cost them Champions League<\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_4f362a\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\">How Premier League could now have seven Champions League teams next season explained<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal defender Calafiori said: \u201cTo win is the best way to get back on track. That was a clear demonstration of our identity which maybe we lost a little bit in the last couple of games.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cBut we came back as I like, I recognise my team again, you know. It\u2019s a nice game to come back and now we can enjoy it but we are already thinking about Saturday. We are happy.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cLast couple of weeks, I would say, have been tough but that is the beauty of football. It is 100 per cent better now. This chance to play three days later rather than just stay home and think about it.\u201d<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36984740\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36984740\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Arsenal emerged victorious as Viktor Gyokeres returned to his former club\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36984740.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2269704309.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36984740.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2269704309.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36984740.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2269704309.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36984740.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2269704309.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Arsenal emerged victorious as Viktor Gyokeres returned to his former club\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arsenal emerged victorious as Viktor Gyokeres returned to his former club<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Calafiori even admitted that his heartbreak with the national team may have given him even more determination to help Arsenal win trophies.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Yeah, maybe. Maybe in a way, yes,\u201d he said. \u201cBut as I say, I\u2019m still really disappointed and sad. Of course I\u2019m really disappointed but I\u2019ve got a lot to play for with Arsenal and I\u2019m really enjoying it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Calafiori also says that Arsenal have been made even more determined to prove some of their doubters wrong after having their mentality questioned after those two setbacks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">They looked fired up in Lisbon and their 1-0 win over Sporting makes them clear favourites to go through to the semi finals with the return leg to come at the Emirates next Wednesday.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal also have the chance to go 12 points clear at the top if they beat Bournemouth on Saturday because they play 24 hours before Manchester City go to Chelsea.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">That game is huge for Arsenal but, whereas before the Sporting win it was building into a nerve-shredding affair, they will now have a bit more confidence.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Calafiori added: \u201cI don\u2019t think about what people say too much. I just know they love to speak about us. It\u2019s obvious that it\u2019s a massive club with so much history that they love to speak about us. But it doesn\u2019t change anything for me.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cEvery game is &#8211; hopefully &#8211; really important now until the end of April and also hopefully the end of May. It\u2019s a completely different game against Bournemouth.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cWe will play at our stadium, our home, we know how to play in the Premier League and now we must rest and then think about Saturday again.\u201d<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36983372\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36983372\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Kai Havertz\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36983372.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2269751836.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36983372.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_GettyImages-2269751836.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36983372.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_GettyImages-2269751836.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36983372.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_GettyImages-2269751836.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Kai Havertz celebrates his goal vs Sporting Lisbon\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Kai Havertz celebrates his goal vs Sporting Lisbon<cite aria-label=\"Image: Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">WORLD CUP LEGENDS: <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/shop.regionalnewspapers.co.uk\/world-cup-legends-5666-p.asp\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">The stars who lit up football\u2019s greatest tournament &#8211; Buy the Special Edition today<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Calafiori did laugh about the bizarre training methods Arsenal used ahead of the Sporting game. They were filmed dribbling while holding pens and holding the ball between their heads.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">When asked whether he has ever warmed up for a Champions League game like that before, he added: \u201cIt was my first time! We are always learning some new things.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI think it was about chemistry and being focused on many things at the same time and chemistry with your teammates.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Meanwhile, Calafiori says David Raya &#8211; one of the heroes of Lisbon &#8211; is one of the best in the business and helps the defence feel \u201creally secure.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He added: \u201cWe have a good relationship with him and I think he\u2019s going to help us through until the end of the season. He has already played a lot of games and I feel really secure with him. I think both with his feet and in the goal, his reflexes are unbelievable.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/Feq1SEG6mXDIZGTTnek7oz\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"><em>Join our new WhatsApp community<\/em> <\/a>and receive your daily dose of <em>Mirror<\/em> <em>Football<\/em> content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don&#8217;t like our community, you can check out any time you like. 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See paper for details.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arsenal have taken charge of their Champions League quarter-final after Kai Havertz&#8217;s late goal handed<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1432,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1431","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1431","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1431"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1431\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1431"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1431"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/disport.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1431"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}