With a massive Champions League quarter-final second leg looming, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has set the tone: "No fear, pure fire." The Gunners host Sporting at the Emirates on Wednesday night, looking to secure a semi-final spot after a tense 2-2 draw in Lisbon.

Team news remains uncertain ahead of the crucial clash. Arteta confirmed that "a few of the boys," including the influential Declan Rice, will face late fitness tests. Rice missed Tuesday's training session, with Arteta citing the midfielder's heavy workload but expressing hope he can feature. "He is going to try to do everything he possibly can to be with us tomorrow evening," the manager stated.

There is a glimmer of hope on the injury front, with Arteta hinting that either Bukayo Saka or Jurrien Timber could return. Saka has been managing an Achilles issue, but the boss is optimistic it's "a matter of days and not weeks."

Coming off a disappointing Premier League defeat to Bournemouth, Arteta acknowledged the setback but emphasized resilience. "What we are trying to achieve is difficult, challenging, and bumpy at times. You have to confront it," he said, channeling the fighting spirit needed for the final stretch of the season.

His rallying cry to the Emirates faithful is clear. He wants to see "pure fire" from his players as they chase an "unbelievable" opportunity. Arteta himself expressed "zero fear" for the run-in, driven by "purpose, fire, and conviction."

Tactically, the Spaniard highlighted an area for improvement, urging his side to be more lethal in transition. "We need to do better in counter-attacks," he noted, stressing the need for that decisive "shift in momentum" to turn games.

He also paid respect to the challenge posed by Ruben Amorim's Sporting, a "really good side" that proved its quality in the first leg. "That is why we know tomorrow is going to be a really tough match," Arteta concluded, setting the stage for a high-stakes European night in North London.