Mikel Arteta was able to bring a few of his main men back into the starting XI yesterday evening and not least the considerable influences of Declan Rice and Gabriel, the latter showing no signs of his concerning knee issue.
A fiery atmosphere met both teams as they entered the arena, the home fans buoyed by their previous Champions League performance.
Arsenal negotiated most of the early minutes of the game by studiously regaining some of their early season defensive poise although there was an isolated scare around the 6th minute. Following some Arsenal control Sporting captured possession and following a dangerous diagonal pass from right to left, a Sporting forward found himself clear on goal, he took the shot and it seemed to be dipping under the bar, but David Raya got a critical touch that saw the ball cannon off of the Arsenal crossbar. The danger was cleared but it seemed obvious that the spies from Sporting had seen Arsenal’s vulnerability to the long ball and it was intentionally utilised periodically.
The Gunners gradually settled into their patterns, keen to stifle the home team whilst quietening the home fans and on the 13th minute an Odegaard free kick was driven powerfully into the box which looped and caused the Sporting goalkeeper and one of his centre backs some consternation and difficulty. It could have easily deflected into the goal but Sporting managed to clear the danger. From the resulting corner Noni Madueke hit a corker into the box which struck the bar and was cleared to Odegaard who fired wide. Those two chances being so close together seemed to the turn the volume down in the stadium a few decibels.
After about 27 minutes the game fell into a predictable pattern with Arsenal looking secure and Sporting dropping deep, aiming to take advantage of any turnovers. Madueke meanwhile was causing the Sporting left-back all kinds of problems with the defender leading a charmed life, it seemed. How the left-back remained on the field after a litany of fouls, I did hear something like 10 fouls from the TV commentators, without receiving a red card was a total mystery. What was even more mysterious was that he didn’t even get a yellow card! This from a German referee with a reputation for being card happy?
Fortunately the Arsenal players remained calm, avoiding any cautions, whilst by the 33rd minute two Sporting players were in the book (I think he might have booked a third as well). One of the cautions meant that Sporting’s main attacker is now suspended from the 2nd leg, danke referee. Declan Rice was like a superhero he was everywhere, popping up to snuff out danger one moment and then surging into the attack, he is truly a wonderful footballer. Around 43 minutes Martin Odegaard got off a low skidding shot but the Sporting goalkeeper made short work of it. So with halftime approaching Arsenal had successfully negotiated 45 minutes of football gradually rebuilding their confidence and defensive resilience.
Half-time 0-0
No changes at the break from either side and Sporting, fresh with their managers words ringing in their ears came out and upped the ante, yet it was Arsenal who came close when on 49 mins Trossard had a good chance but screwed his shot wide, Leo badly needs a goal, as did we all. Another driven, dipping Odegaard free kick was pushed onto the bar on the 53rd minute and then after two corners which caused some concerns for the home team they suddenly sprung a break away which had Raya scampering out of his goal to clear before sprinting back into his goal. Sporting kept up the attack which led to a shot flying across goal and past the far post as Sporting ramped it up.
Arsenal weathered the pressure and then scored a delightful goal, Zubimendi firing home from around 20 yards, unfortunately Gyokeres involved in the build up was offside. Odegaard was showing signs of stress and on 70 minutes was replaced by Kai Havertz and so a new problem for Sporting. Declan Rice continued to be a man for all seasons driving the team on with what seemed like boundless energy. Arteta then brought on two more of his ‘finishers’ as Dowman replaced Madueke and Martinelli replaced Trossard, the stage was set!
Sporting threw everything at the Gunners as the clock ticked into the 80’s and on 83 minutes Raya pulled off a brilliant save, but for him customary, low down by his post after the Sporting right attacker skipped past Calafiori. Two games watching Kepa had reminded us of how lucky we are to have David between the sticks, then on 85 Martinelli cut in and had a strong low drive saved. The Sporting left back had meanwhile left Dowman in a heap 4 or 5 times by then, still zilch from the officials, it was laughable.
On 87 minutes with a 0-0 draw pending Sporting had a double chance but were foiled twice by Raya and that my friends set us up for the finale.
The referee added just two minutes and as the clock hit 91 Gabriel Martinelli wove his magic, spinning away from his opponent he eluded two Sporting players as he drove towards the home teams box. He then carefully threaded a pass between two more Sporting players and into the path of Kai Havertz. Havertz with the minimum of fuss stroked the ball home and the home crowd fell silent.
All we could hear on the TV was a familiar rendition of ‘One nil to the Arsenal’ from our amazing away fans. It was exactly the tonic we all needed – panic over, hopefully?
Nos Marchamos Em.
By Kev.
Good morning Kev, thanks for that. Swim time now, back a little later.
Fair summation Kev we watched it on a dodgy stream on an I pad as the local bars in Cyprus favoured the Madrid – Bayern match . We could follow the game although the Greek commentary was turned down any English one kept freezing .
A good result for the club and it underlined how important Rice is to the team . Without him our midfield is definitely weaker.
Morning Kev, all. Good post, thank you.
Once we settled, I thought we did well against a very good Sporting team. What a pass for their chance which Raya saved. There were a couple of players I wouldn’t mind seeing in Arsenal colours. lol
Rice is an amazing player, £100m seems cheap for what he brings to the team.
Once again, awesome play by Raya. We have one heck of a goalie and no doubt the best in the Prem and probably the world. I only wish we had used him in the 2nd half of the Caraboa 🙁
I know, we have moved on and we’ve now got bigger fish to fry.
Good to see Max out there and great to see the team standing firm to the end.
I think we can say its looking very good for progressing to the Semis.
And let’s not forget, we are still the only team in the Champs League not to have lost a game. That in itself says something and to be proud of.
Nice one Kev,
Well that was more like it. What a goalie Raya is.
I thought Sporting gave it a real good go,our goal makes us big favourites for the Semis though.
I read somewhere that the yellow card for Suarez has been removed and he can play next week. I’m not sure about that,I will look it up.
Bournemouth at home Saturday who will be rested and very dangerous.
11 possible games to go(although Maths was never my strongest subject) All big games now.
Morning Gooners, morning Rico, I enjoyed doing that one, I think yesterday was Sporting’s first home defeat in something like 18 games, they were threatening at times sporadically, but Arsenal overall were the more dangerous team. Potter it’s all Greek to me, enjoy your swim Cicero.
Still a lot to do in the second leg. Pleased for Max too as he created history again. I doubted Raya when we signed him but for most of this season, he’s been excellent.
You are right Limey, the commentators confirmed that during the game.
First since August I read Kev, was special that’s for sure. I love how Havertz said his goal was 80% Martinelli’s.
That was a good result away from home and I expect a tough game in the second leg
Odegaard is far from fully fit, his confidence is low hence his contribution is below expectations. Another injury, means Arteta needs to find a permanent replacement in the summer.
Incidentally, by getting through last night’s game unbeaten I believe that means five Champions League places or English teams next season.
It does, Chelsea or Liverpool owe us a favour.
Just watched highlights of RM v Bayern, that game could have ended 8-8 ish 😂
Thanks, Kev, great job as always. We can all stop the Prozac now, for a while at least.
Too bad there was this Bayer draw Laura, otherwise we’d probably be the only team to have ever gone that far in the CL after actually … winning (!!) all their games.
Don’t agree with your 80%, Rico, its fifty-fifty for me at least. The pocket of space Kai spotted, the timing of the move – which triggered the pass, the clear-mindedness it took to stay onside, the silky first touch with his so-called weaker foot, and the quality of the finish, which left the GK no chance; I find all of this to be top-drawer … CF (!) job. If Kai’s back once and for all now, what a boost it’ll be on our way to the finish line(s).
Now, in the grand scheme of things, all that matters is the win of course … again, what a relief this one was.
Me too Lg, without one, there’s no goal. Great from both. Nice that Havertz publicly recognised the quality of pass though.
Cheers Limey, the irony over the Suarez caution is that the Sporting left-back got a free hand in kicking Madueke and Dowman all match, why not give him a red card in retrospect?
No Prozac for me LG, just a mug of chai to go with my stiff upper lip. ✌️