Morning all.
I had a choice. The Great British Bake Off Final, or Sporting Lisbon v Arsenal. It was a tough decision to make but earplugs in and iPad in hand, Arsenal just edged it. Unlike the actual game of course which Mikel Arteta’s players bossed with consummate ease!
The occasion reminded me a bit of November 25th 2003 when no one gave Arsenal a chance against Inter Milan at the San Siro but ended up coming away with the same scoreline as last night. The two games played out differently though as in Milan, a flurry of late goals secured our convincing victory whereas last night, we started strong, took our chances and pretty much had the victory secured before the break.
Mikel Arteta had an almost fully fit squad to select his starting eleven from with only Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu ruled out. Even Kieran Tierney was fit enough to be included in the travelling squad. Kai Havertz, Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli returned to the side having been rested at the weekend and Thomas Partey started again having played just 45 minutes on Saturday.
I thought Arsenal played well against Nottingham Forest on Saturday but last nights performance went up another level. The first half was simply brilliant. From David Raya through to Kai Havertz, every player was at it. Arsenal went after Sporting on their own turf and they couldn’t handle it.
Arsenal handed Sporting Lisbon a Champions League humbling in what was one of the best European away performances in a long long time and were 3-0 up before half-time thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel. Sporting, and their fans, probably thought a comeback was on the cards when the home team scored shortly after the second half kicked off but no, Arsenal stood firm.
Then a penalty, awarded for a bad challenge on Martin Odegaard and perfectly executed by Bukayo Saka, restored our three goal lead. With around ten minutes to go, Leandro Trossard made it 5-1.
Our goals:
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From our right side, Jurrien Timber whipped a lovely ball across the six-yard box which caused the Sporting defence problems. Kai Havertz made a nuisance of himself before Gabriel Martinelli, lurking at the far post, tucked the ball into the back of the net.
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Again from our right side, although this time it was Thomas Partey who knocked the ball over the Sporting defence for Saka. He toe poked the ball through the legs of keeper and into the path of Kai Havertz giving the German a simple tap in.
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A set-piece from our left. Declan Rice whipped in a corner and Gabriel did the rest. Power, accuracy and brilliant. His celebration – naughty but funny.
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A clinically taken penalty by Bukayo Saka. Martin Odegaard had been challenged from behind by Diomande and the referee didn’t hesitate to point to the spot. I was surprised Diomande wasn’t shown a second yellow card.
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Super sub Leandro Trossard was in the right place at the right time when their keeper parried Mikel Merino’s fierce shot into his path for a relatively straightforward header into the back of the net.
Seriously, does it get any better at this stage of the season than going to Portugal and battering a team which nearly everyone outside of the Arsenal family thought we’d lose? A team who are reigning champions in Portugal, who haven’t lost a Champions League fixture this season and haven’t lost a home fixture for a long time? No. It. Doesn’t.
Five goals away from home in the Champions League against the club sitting second in this stupid league format is something to savour but so is conceding just the one goal. Our defending was excellent, David Raya, outstanding.
Much has been said and written about Viktor Gyokeres, a striker on many a clubs transfer wish list ahead of January and next summers transfer window, well, right now he’s probably still trying to find his way out of William Saliba’s pocket.
The Frenchman’s defensive partner Gabriel had to be replaced late in the game. He felt something said Mikel after the game. Hopefully it’s nothing serious and he’s fit for the weekend.
I think it’s becoming clear that while injuries were not an excuse for our loss of form pre this international break, they were in all likelihood, the reason.
Catch up in the comments.
Good morning Rico and all
Brilliant read. Having seen the game and now reading the match report simply gives me a great feeling. Nice one Lady
As I have said many times before, the CL does not matter to me. I prefer the league and domestic knockouts. But yesterday was very enjoyable and I loved the way we played. Quite enjoyable.
The injuries were not and excuse. But they weren’t the only reason either. Because bogus red cards and inept decisions cost us as well. And two weights two measures were decision are concerned
Morning Devil, thanks.
I thought Arsenal were seriously good. It was inevitable Sporting would have a bit of a rally but when a team resorts to shooting from distance, it shows how good our defending was. As you suggested on the previous post, Timber and Calafiori were really good.
We can’t underestimate what a boost Odegaard’s return has been. Saka emphasised that post match.
But yes, dodgy red cards didn’t help us either.
Yes MO08’s contribution cannot be underestimated. Especially his plays with Saka and Timber behind them. I hope we get Arda Guler as well because he is similar to MO08 with regards technical and tactical brain. Very creative. And he wont be Martin’s replacement….he will play on the left. But I dont think RM will make the same mistake twice. With Ancelotti you never know though.
Great report rico, had me savouring the goals again. Everyone was 8 or 9 out of ten, terrific performance. On the one hand nice tap-ins because forwards were there in the right place from great crosses. On the other, good fierce longer shot from Merino which we don’t do enough and Trossard alert to follow up.
Think Gabriel’s celebration was a response to when Sporting put us out last time and they copied Xhaka’s thumbed nose celebration. Odergaard’s picked up his best form so quickly after a long layoff, amazing player.
Just thinking out side the box.
we were winning when Odergaard was playing then while out Saka took over as Captain and started to falter, now Odergaard is back we are winning again, so did some of the players recented Saka being made the captain due to his age, and did Saka feel a bit to much pressure wearing the arm band. I’m not haveing a go at Saka.
Thanks Andrew. I agree, every player was really on their game. I reckon that’s the best result/performance we’ve seen for a while. That and the first half against City before Oliver ruined it.
I’d forgotten that Andrew, makes his celebration even better. Gabriel is like an elephant, he never forgets. 😜
Geoff there is a togetherness in this squad that transcends such pettiness.
G’day all.
yes ! 🙂
I don’t think so Geoff, not for one minute. Saka has been at the club the longest and is a crucial cog in the wheel. His teammates respect him imo.
Jm, I thought you said Sporting would beat us easily? 😂
What a fantastic performance and result.
A real team effort,everyone played their part,but Jurrien Timber,what a player,not just a classy defender,brilliant going forward too,combining well with Saka. I can’t see Ben White getting his place back when fit. Depends on fitness of others.
The Man City game was funny,although we could do with them getting something from the Liverpool game. We don’t want the scousers winning and gaining even more confidence.
I think we’d have won the league last season had he been fit Limey. Once White is fit, I think Timber will play left back.
The quality shown by Timber, Calafiori and Merino as well as the skill and confidence of Nwaneri will make it easier for Arteta to rotate players as fixtures come thick and fast.
Good shout about last season,Timber is a joy to watch,reminds me of Saliba in that he is on a different level to most opponents.
Agreed re the rest/rotation and our depth of squad. Our win over Forest showed that it’s not always about the changes but who is not left out. Hope that makes sense.
He is, I love watching Timber, he makes the game look so easy.
Arsenal have opened talks with Nwaneri over a professional contract..
5-1 in Lisboa is the type of a standout result that makes the rest of the realistic CL contenders sit up and think ‘aye aye, Arsenal have woken up’
Now we need to beat Monaco next, and on my birthday, to really establish ourselves in the top group and more or less ensure we don’t have to manage a playoff game…
That’s good re Nwaneri..
Next we need to beat West Ham.
Funny how all the newspapers and the likes of Sky Sports are focusing on the City woes, Amorim, Salah’s contract etc yet our fantastic result last night is glossed over.