Arsenal vs Bournemouth: The dream of a quadruple is gone, but the double remains.

Following the end of the quadruple dream, Arsenal turns its attention to the double. Yet, achieving victory in both the Premier League and Champions League presents a significant challenge.

A 1-0 victory over Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League quarter-final first leg keeps Arsenal's hopes alive for a double. That match showcased Arsenal's resilience at the crucial moment but also highlighted the team's issues.

Arsenal & the "Finishers"

For most of the match against Gyokeres's former team, Arsenal failed to create any notable chances apart from familiar set-piece situations.

It was a dull and disjointed attacking performance that even prompted criticism from legend Thierry Henry.

"If the defense isn't functioning effectively, I don't think Arsenal has enough creativity at many moments to trouble opponents, and that could be a major issue. The match against Sporting didn't have many highlights or sudden creative sparks, but Arsenal did what was necessary," Thierry Henry commented.

Goalkeeper David Raya was Arsenal's standout player against Sporting Lisbon. He made five saves overall, including three just minutes before Havertz's goal.

From the perspective of writer James Olley, Raya laid the foundation for a victory that "stole" the points, allowing the "finishers" to complete the job.

Arteta renamed the role of strategic substitutes some time ago, and they executed their task perfectly here. Gabriel Martinelli assisted Kai Havertz for the crucial goal in stoppage time.

"The story of the season is: The 'finishers' come on when the most crucial part of the match is about to unfold, and they make the difference to secure our victory," Coach Arteta stated.

The substitutes of "The Gunners" have contributed to 38 goals this season, more than any other team in Europe's top five leagues.

The Prospects for a Double

And the combination of Martinelli and Havertz produced the fourth Champions League goal where both the scorer and the assist came from substitutes, the highest number for any team in the competition.

This is clearly a potent weapon for Arteta, and it could play a vital role as Arsenal aims for the double.

But viewed from another angle, Arsenal relies heavily on its bench. Meanwhile, the Gunners' attack hasn't been as sharp as expected. This has led them into stalemates multiple times. Football London notes that when Arsenal trailed 11 times this season, they only won three matches.

In the Champions League, the prospect of a semi-final against Barcelona or Atletico Madrid, or further a final against PSG or possibly Bayern Munich, will test Arsenal's resilience to the utmost limit.

Meanwhile in the Premier League, "The Gunners" hold an advantage in the title race, leading Man City by 9 points despite playing one more match. The direct clash between the two teams on April 19, just days after the return leg against Sporting Lisbon, could become the decisive turning point for Arsenal's double ambitions.

Last season, Arsenal were eliminated by PSG in the Champions League semi-finals and had to watch Liverpool win the Premier League four rounds early. This time, Arsenal understands they cannot allow a similar scenario to happen.

To conquer the two trophies ahead, Coach Arteta must find ways to fix the Gunners' inherent weaknesses, or ensure that the "guns" from the bench continue to deliver victories as they did against Sporting Lisbon.