Sporting CP’s unbeaten run has come to an end, as Arsenal thrashed the Portuguese champions in Lisbon, with five different goal scorers starring for Arsenal as they made the hosts look average for the majority of Tuesday’s game. Arsenal led by three goals at half-time, with the hosts having failed to show any real signs of life.
The Leões built momentum with an early goal in the second half, similar to their game against Manchester City. But that momentum was brought to an end when Ousmane Diomande gave away a penalty which Bukayo Saka converted.
It was a statement win from Mikel Arteta’s side after suffering on recent away trips, with the Arsenal centre-back duo able to keep the prolific Viktor Gyökeres quiet the whole game.
Sporting’s first test post-Amorim will be cause for concern for new manager João Pereira, despite using the same system as his predecessor. Close attention will be paid to how they respond now.
As It Happened
Arsenal led just seven minutes in, with Gabriel Martinelli opening the scoring. Jurriën Timber played a lovely low cross into the six-yard box, and the goalkeeper wasn’t out quick enough to collect it, giving Martinelli a tap-in.
Kai Havertz made it 2-0 inside 21 minutes at the José Alvalade Stadium. Thomas Partey played a great chipped ball through to Bukayo Saka, and he poked it past the onrushing keeper. Once he had the ball, he played it into the path of Kai Havertz. It was unclear whether it was a pass or a shot, but ultimately it didn’t matter; the German was there to tap the ball into an empty net.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter a failed Sporting free kick, Arsenal sparked a counter attack. Martin Ødegaard played Saka through on goal and Hidemasa Morita backed off and off, allowing him into the penalty area. The Arsenal winger then cut inside and tried to catch Franco Israel out with a reverse shot back towards the near post, but the Sporting keeper wasn’t to be caught out on this occasion.
Arsenal were playing through the hosts with ease, and their high press limited any rare breaks forward. It was a more fluid and technical Arsenal now that Ødegaard was back in the side, much as it was in their last Premier League game against Nottingham Forest.
Finally, Sporting forced a save out of David Raya, but he was never too troubled, with Geovany Quenda’s strike comfortably saved.
Just before halftime, Arsenal made it three in an all too familiar fashion. Declan Rice stood over a corner, whipped it in and Gabriel drifted into the area unmarked to power a header into the back of the net. Three to the good, Arteta’s side had created a commanding lead before the break.
Sporting would start quicly in the second half, though. Morita tested Raya only two minutes in, with the keeper unable to prevent a corner. The set piece would pay dividends for the hosts, as Gonçalo Inácio outmuscled Riccardo Calafiori to force an effort into the back of the net. It was the perfect start, with the deficit reduced to two.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut just after the hour mark, they wasted their renewed momentum. Ousmane Diomande brought Ødegaard down in the box and a penalty was swiftly awarded. Saka stepped up to take it and slotted his spot kick past Israel into the bottom right corner. Arsenal were well on top once more.
Arsenal fans were starting to enjoy themselves, oléing from the stands now after retaking control of the game.
And as the Olés continue, they made it five. A shot from Mikel Merino was parried in front of Israel to Leandro Trossard, who nodded into the empty net. Four to the good, they’d won the game and won it well, this a result much better than many could’ve predicted.
Embed from Getty ImagesIt will surely go down as a famous result in Lisbon for Arsenal, equalling their largest-ever Champions League away win. They’ve had their troubles on the road recently in Europe, having not won their last five Champions League away trips and having not scored in the last four of those. They outplayed Sporting Lisbon on the night, and it could even be Arteta’s best European performance as a manager. With Monaco, Dinamo Zagreb and Girona left to play, this was the statement they needed to prove they can certainly finish in the top eight.
For Sporting though, this was potentially a concerning result under new manager João Pereira; it’s their first loss at the Alvalade since October 2023 and their first loss in 90 minutes this season. Club Brugge, RB Leipzig and Bologna are the remaining Champions League games for them, and they’ll be hoping to bounce back and keep their top eight dreams alive.
Lineups
SPO: Israel; Inácio, Diomande, St. Juste; Aráujo, Morita, Hjulmand, Quenda; Edwards, Trincão; Gyökeres
ARS: Raya; Calafiori, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber; Rice, Partey, Ødegaard; Martinelli, Havertz, Saka