MATCH REPORT – PLAYER RATINGS – ARTETA REACTION – VIDEO
Properly, that was enjoyable.
Arsenal produced their greatest away European efficiency of Mikel Arteta’s 5 years in cost to thump Sporting Lisbon 5-1 on the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
The outcome – equalling our greatest successful margin on the street in both the Champions League or European Cup – places the Gunners in a powerful place to qualify for the knockout phases by way of a top-eight end whereas additionally respiration new perception right into a season after a interval of stuttering autumnal type.
Previous to the match, a lot of the speak centered on Sporting’s unimaginable type, notably in Lisbon. The reigning Portuguese champions gained all 17 of final season’s residence league video games, hadn’t misplaced to any facet on their patch since October 2023 and lately humbled Manchester Metropolis. Make no mistake, regardless of their current change of head coach, this was a fortress that Arsenal bulldozed.
Whereas Arteta persistently talks in regards to the significance of tackling video games separately, Saturday’s shock lineup in opposition to Forest prompt the Spaniard had been eyeing this problem for some time. Declan Rice, Thomas Partey, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli have been all restored to the beginning lineup – arguably our strongest of the season – whereas the bench was packed stuffed with expertise. With solely Takehiro Tomiyasu and Ben White lacking the journey resulting from damage, the one teenage presence was keeper Tommy Setford and regulars Myles Lewis-Skelly and Ethan Nwaneri.
You sensed instantly that Arsenal meant enterprise. Contained in the opening minute, Odegaard and Martinelli discovered themselves in harmful positions. It set the tone for a night once we pressed with menace understanding Sporting stubbornly adhered to a coverage of taking part in out from the again. Having struggled for targets away from residence in Europe, the query was whether or not we may tighten the screw by discovering the online.
On seven minutes we did precisely that. Partey and Odegaard mixed off the correct flank to search out Rice in a pocket of area. The England worldwide wasted no time releasing Timber who teased a ball throughout the six-yard field that Martinelli transformed on the again submit with a late run behind his marker. It was exact, fast soccer and the Brazilian’s fourth purpose of the season fully caught the hosts off guard.
Within the instant aftermath, Arsenal retreated right into a compact, slim unit with all 11 males behind the ball and it appeared like we could be tempted to sit down on the lead. Sporting huffed and puffed for a few minutes however struggled to supply something of benefit and realised quickly sufficient that any sloppy play could be punished by a swift counter-attack. Time and time once more within the first half, Arsenal sliced via the centre of the pitch making an attempt to work area for Saka on the correct. In accordance with TNT Sports activities, 65% of first half assaults got here down that facet. And with good purpose.
The winger knew he had the beating of his marker, Goncalo Inacio, whether or not he had the ball at his toes or if he was sprinting behind. Certain sufficient, when Partey lofted a move contained in the Sporting left-back on 20 minutes, Saka, who’d been pointing the place he needed the ball, burst into the field and toe-poked it previous the onrushing keeper Franco Israel for Havertz to faucet into an empty web. It was stunning in its simplicity.
The remainder of the half was performed with an actual swagger. Partey completely dominated the midfield – a efficiency later described by the supervisor as “top-of-the-line I’ve seen from him” – whereas Odegaard pulled the strings in pockets of area. The Norwegian is sort of a softly tailor-made go well with worn with a Cuban collar shirt, there’s at all times a stage of panache elevating that smart-casual method of his. Whereas it’s reductive to counsel the captain single-handedly makes Arsenal look good, it does really feel that method on nights like this.
“He’s an unbelievable participant, the day he returned there was a giant smile on my face,” stated Saka afterwards. “I’m completely happy he’s again and I hope he stays match for the remainder of the season.”
Saka, Havertz and Rice all had half possibilities to increase the lead, Raya made a wise cease from 17-year-old Quenda, who confirmed fast toes earlier than firing from lengthy vary, and Gabriel earned his flowers from the travelling Gooners for seeing Viktor Gyokeres out of play on a few events. Simply to rub salt within the Swede’s wounds, Massive Gabi barrelled residence a header from a scrumptious Rice nook on the stroke of half-time and promptly stole his opponent’s trademark masks celebration. High shithousery from the centre-back.
A 3-goal benefit on the break felt like job completed. Kind of. You simply hoped we wouldn’t do something foolish like conceding a sloppy purpose early within the second interval. So, after all, that’s what we did. Raya had already been examined by a bouncing shot by Morita when Ignacio flashed residence a first-time volley from the ensuing nook. Taking nothing away from the end or the best way Sporting muscled Odegaard and Saka out of issues, we shouldn’t be permitting a participant to transform like that on the close to submit. Calafiori seemed to be the marker however he was left in a heap on the turf. One to analyse when the boys are again at London Colney.
The purpose breathed life into the Alvalade, and for some time Sporting threatened an unlikely comeback. Gyokeres, with the bit between his enamel, gained a free-kick from Gabriel earlier than firing the set piece into Row Z. On commentary, Steve McMananaman was so determined for the ball to go in, that he screamed ‘Bang’ when the striker hit the ball. Do fuck off, Steve.
Ineffective within the first half, Marcus Edwards additionally got here into issues, firing over and forcing us to defend a deflected cross. In response, Arsenal tried to take the sting out of issues. Raya picked up a reserving for time-wasting and the Polish referee punished Jurrien Timber for dawdling over a throw-in, one thing he did repeatedly all evening a lot to the annoyance of the house help.
It will be hyperbolic to counsel Arsenal have been clinging on for expensive life on the hour-mark, however after Gyokeres fired one other try over the bar, we have been very grateful that Sporting shot themselves within the foot. Younger defender Ousmane Diomande, already on a reserving for an earlier foul on Havertz, went via the again of Odegaard within the field, to concede a penalty which player-of-the-match Saka transformed with trademark aplomb. Added to his earlier help that’s now 15 purpose involvements in 17 appearances this season.
The penalty actually popped the Sporting balloon and from there on out, the Gunners saved their opponents at arm’s size whereas taking part in on the break.
Arteta launched Trossard and Merino with 20 minutes remaining after which despatched on Nwaneri and Zinchenko as we rested a few of the large weapons for Saturday’s journey to West Ham. The substitutes all appeared hungry and when Merino fired a fierce effort goalwards, Trossard helped himself to the rebound to move residence and spherical off a really satisfying night.
There’s no denying Arsenal have appeared stodgy at occasions this season so this was a well timed reminder of what we’re able to when our greatest gamers can be found.
Whereas Sporting ended the sport with extra possession and extra makes an attempt on purpose (19 vs 13), xG was closely weighted within the Gunners’ favour (0.97 vs 4.23).
Sporting CP (0.97) 1-5 (4.23) Arsenal
— The xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) November 26, 2024
There was completely no doubting who have been the higher crew main Arteta to purr in his post-game press convention:
“We have been so good, you must be so good in each division and we suffered as effectively in lots of moments within the sport however we have been so efficient and so environment friendly once we begin to assault the place and as we speak that was a giant distinction.”
Talking to TNT Sports activities, he added:
“I’m very completely happy. It’s a giant outcome in opposition to a giant opponent. I feel they haven’t misplaced a sport right here in 18 months and we needed to make an announcement. I felt actually good power, actually good perception earlier than the match. You must put it into follow. I feel the primary half was distinctive. It gave us the platform to win the sport and a extremely constructive and vital win for us.”
Whilst you can’t draw too many conclusions from the Champions League desk at this level, Arsenal’s tally of 10 factors from 5 video games could be very strong. And with residence video games in opposition to Monaco and Dinamo Zagreb to come back and a visit to Girona rounding issues off in January, we’re well-placed to safe the top-eight end that will see us keep away from two further video games in February.
It’s in all probability not price trying too far forward at this level. Importantly, we’ve began to construct momentum that we’ll be hoping to maintain on the London Stadium on Saturday.
Should you’re out in Portugal, like Blogs, take pleasure in the remainder of your journey. Lewis Ambrose might be overlaying tomorrow earlier than regular service is resumed on Friday.
