Arsenal produce five-star performance to stun Sporting with ruthless victory

Five-star Arsenal equalled their best ever UEFA Champions League away win with a thumping 5-1 triumph at previously unbeaten Sporting CP.

The Gunners had failed to score in their last two European matches on the road but made the early breakthrough when Gabriel Martinelli tucked in Jurrien Timber’s inviting low ball on seven minutes.

Sporting roared to a 4-1 victory over Manchester City earlier this month, but a repeat of the heroics that capped Ruben Amorim’s final home match in charge of the Lions prior to joining Manchester United never looked likely.

Arsenal were utterly dominant and doubled their lead on 22 minutes when Kai Havertz touched in Bukayo Saka’s stabbed pass from the right. The visitors then moved out of sight on the stroke of half time when Gabriel headed in Declan Rice’s left-wing corner.

Sporting’s new coach, Joao Pereira, would have read the riot act at the break and he got an instant response as Goncalo Inacio guided home a right-wing corner within two minutes of the restart.

Arsenal weathered a mini storm but regained their three-goal cushion on 65 minutes when Saka converted a penalty after Martin Odegaard was tumbled in the area.

Substitute Leandro Trossard then completed the rout with a follow-up header from Mikel Merino’s saved shot eight minutes from time.

The result moves Arsenal into seventh spot in the revamped Champions League standings with 10 points from five matches.

Sporting have the same record but drop to eighth as a result of an inferior goal difference. Next up, Arsenal visit West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

On arriving in Lisbon, Arteta had lamented Arsenal’s inability to make the difference in big European matches on the road, but his players certainly delivered on his desire to see them be more ruthless in the opposition penalty area.

Indeed, The Gunners had not netted in their previous four Champions League away matches, but their attacking mojo was in full flow in the Portuguese capital with much of that swagger down to the string-pulling brilliance of Martin Odegaard.

The Gunners had come in for criticism for lacking creativity and dynamism in attack during their skipper’s absence with injury earlier in the season, but he again showed just how key he is as Arsenal made a mockery of Sporting’s unbeaten run from the start of the season coming into this contest.

It was a chastening night for Pereira in just his second match in charge, but it was more about Arsenal’s statement of intent now they have their key men all functioning together as one.

This was very much a statement performance, not only in Europe, but one that should give them huge confidence heading into a favourable run of Premier League fixtures that could see them ignite their title hopes.

Martin Odegaard (Arsenal). The Gunners lacked a spark during their captain’s absence with injury, but since his return they have rediscovered their flair in attack, with the Norwegian seemingly the catalyst to bring out the very best from those around him.

SPORTING LISBON: Israel 7, St Juste 6, Inacio 6, Diomande 5, Araujo 6, Morita 6, Quenda 5, Hjulmand 6, Edwards 5, Gyokeres 6, Trincao 6. Subs: Braganca 6, Catamo 6, Harder 5, Reis n/a, Simoes n/a.

ARSENAL: Raya 7, Timber 8, Saliba 8, Gabriel 8, Calafiori 7, Odegaard 9, Partey 8, Rice 7, Saka 8, Martinelli 8, Havertz 8. Subs: Merino 7, Trossard 7, Kiwior 6, Zinchenko 6, Nwaneri 6.

07’ – GOAL! – Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Arsenal: (Martinelli). The Gunners break the deadlock as Martinelli slots home Timber’s delicious, low cross from the right.

22’ – GOAL! – Sporting Lisbon 0-2 Arsenal: (Havertz). The Gunners double their lead as Saka darts on to Partey’s clipped pass, pokes beyond the ‘keeper and tees up Havertz for a simple tap-in.

45+1’ – GOAL! – Sporting Lisbon 0-3 Arsenal: (Gabriel). The centre back makes a run from deep to meet Rice’s left-wing corner with a towering header.

47’ – GOAL! – Sporting Lisbon 1-3 Arsenal: (Inacio). The home side immediately reduce the arrears as Gonçalo Inácio guides home a right-wing corner with a low volley at the near post.

65’ – GOAL! – Sporting Lisbon 1-4 Arsenal: (Saka). Bukayo Saka rifles a low spot kick beyond the dive of Israel to restore Arsenal’s three-goal cushion.

82’ – GOAL! – Sporting Lisbon 1-5 Arsenal: (Trossard). It’s five-star Arsenal. Merino is afforded time to line up a 20-yard shot with Trossard on hand to nod home the rebound after the ‘keeper could only parry it into his path.