Gabriel Martinelli enjoys redemption story as Arsenal put Sporting to the sword - 5 talking points
SPORTING CP 1-5 ARSENAL: Gabriel Martinelli set Arsenal on their way in Lisbon as three first-half goals set the Gunners on their way to a comprehensive win against Sporting
Arsenal made light work of Sporting CP as they left Lisbon with all three points to kick-start their Champions League campaign.
Three goals before half-time did the damage, the first time they had scored three away goals in a European tie since Mikel Arteta's first season in charge. Goncalo Inacio threatened to make a game of it moments after the restart, but a Bukayo Saka penalty restored the three-goal advantage before Leandro Trossard scored the visitors' fifth.
It was Arsenal's first away win in the Champions League in more than a year, with the last one comping against Sevilla in October 2023. It also helped them lay to rest the ghosts of their Europa League elimination against Sporting a few months before that.
Both sides are now on 10 points from five European games, with automatic qualification for the round of 16 still a possibility. With two of the last three games on home soil, Arteta's men will fancy their chances.
It took less than seven minutes for Arsenal to get themselves in front. Some quick passing down the Gunners right created space for Jurrien Timber, and his low cross found Gabriel Martinelli free at the back post to tap home.
One became two just after the 20 minute mark, with more success down the right. This time it was Bukayo Saka who beat the offside trap and Kai Havertz who rolled the ball home from point-blank range.
Gabriel headed home a Declan Rice corner seconds before the break, leaving Sporting with a mountain to climb. Inacio gave them hope, but it was quickly extinguished when Ousmane Diomande went through the back of Martin Odegaard and Saka made no mistake from the spot.
Was this Arsenal's best performance of the season? Have your say in the comments section
It was an important win for the visitors after they took just one point from their first two away European games, and Trossard made it absolutely safe as he tucked home the rebound after Mikel Merino's effort was parried. Here are Mirror Football 's talking points from the statement victory.
1. Arsenal succeed where City failed
While Manchester City were punished for missed chances at the Alvalade earlier in the month, Arsenal made no such mistake. Not only that, but they took advantage through the kind of goal which Pep Guardiola's side have made their bread and butter in recent years.
An overload down the wing, followed by a cutback which leaves an free forward with a simple finish. Not once but twice, and Sporting had no answer.
It almost happened for a third time before the break, with Kai Havertz inches from collecting a ball between the lines from Martin Odegaard. In the end, though, they went for a goal more typical of their own style - a header from a Rice corner.
2. Martinelli's redemption
When Arsenal and Sporting met in the 2022-23 Europa League, Gabriel Martinelli ended up as the villain of the piece. His penalty was saved by Antonio Adan in a shoot-out defeat in North London, sending the Portuguese side through at the expense of Mikel Arteta's men.
If that was playing on his mind at the start, that soon changed. He won't have too many easier finishes this season, but he still needed to be in the right place to meet Timber's low cross.
The Brazilian hasn't been an automatic pick this season, with his goal tally below his previously high standards. This goal was vintage Martinelli, though, and he'll hope it can spur him on to more.
3. Arteta's rotation rewarded
Some eyebrows were raised when Arsenal fans looked at Mikel Arteta's weekend selection. Those players had more than enough to beat Nottingham Forest, though, and it allowed others to enjoy a bit of a rest.
Martinelli was another of those given a rest over the weekend, and he made it count. It looked like a fresh team all round, too, with Arteta perhaps recognising the importance of a fast start.
The flurry of goals also allowed Arteta to give some of his players an early rest, with Odegaard and Rice in particular likely to benefit from being kept fresh. Next for Arsenal is a trip to West Ham, who might have hoped to be facing a more tired opponent.
4. 100 up for Saliba
William Saliba has felt like part of the furniture at Arsenal for so long, it's hard to remember a time when he wasn't a fixture in the side. It might seem strange, but he only made his first senior appearance less than two-and-a-half years ago and has now brought up 100 first-team outings.
More than three quarters of those have come in the league, including all 38 last season. This was his 19th outing in Europe, and his first against Sporting since suffering the injury which curtailed his 2022-23 season.
He put that memory behind him, marshalling the potentially dangerous Viktor Gyokeres. The victory was Saliba's 65th in 100 Arsenal outings, making him only the sixth player in the team's history to win as many during that first century of games.
5. Gunners goal-shy no more
Going into Tuesday's game, Arsenal had failed to score in any of their last four away games in the Champions League. It almost cost them against Porto in last season's round of 16, and then did cost them against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals as Thomas Tuchel's team followed a 2-2 first-leg draw with a 1-0 win in Bavaria.
While the goalless draw against Atalanta this term wasn't the most inspiring display, the Gunners looked good value for a goal at the San Siro as they lost 1-0 to Inter. In short, many sensed that barren run wasn't likely to go on for too long.
You have to go all the way back to 2008 for the last time Arsenal scored five in a European away day. They'd certainly have taken that before kick-off.
Join our new WhatsApp communityand receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
