Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Partey, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz
Subs: Neto, Setford, Tierney, Jesus, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Trossard, Jorginho, Merino, Sterling, Lewis-Skelly, Nwaneri
Arsenal won their first away Champions League game in six attempts after crushing Sporting 5-1 at the Estadio José Alvalade, thanks to goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
Mikel Arteta made four changes to the team that beat Nottingham Forest on Sunday, with Thomas Partey, Declan Rice, Martinelli and Havertz all coming into the side.
Ethan Nwaneri featured on the bench again after scoring his first Premier League goal on Saturday, alongside Kieran Tierney who made a Gunners matchday squad for the first time in over a year.
Arsenal started strongly with long spells of possession and pressure in the Sporting half, and needed just seven minutes to take the lead through Martinelli.
Neat interplay on the right hand side ended up with Rice finding Jurrien Timber, who sent a teasing low cross into the box (right between the goalkeeper and defenders) with Martinelli reacting quickest to tap home from close range. 1-0.
That early strike was the Gunners’ first away Champions League goal since Eddie Nketiah scored against PSV last December.
Sporting looked shellshocked by the early goal and despite settling briefly with their own spell of possession, Arteta’s men doubled their lead following another gorgeous piece of play.
After being given too much time and space in midfield, Partey found Saka in behind with a golf-like chip that caught Maxi Araujo sleeping, before beating goalkeeper Franco Israel to the ball and sliding across to Havertz for an easy tap in. 2-0.
Arsenal fashioned another chance shortly after when David Raya claimed a corner with typical ease before freeing Saka on the counter attack, who breezed past Hidemasa Morita and fired at goal, but Israel was equal to his bobbly effort.
There was time for a third goal before the break, when Gabriel escaped his marker with ease before powering home a header from Rice’s driven corner. 3-0.
It was a dominant first half from Arsenal who looked sharp, strong and clinical from the first whistle and kept Sporting (who have not lost all season) penned into their own half with no exit routes.
The hosts, however, came out quickly in the second half and scored two minutes after the restart when Gonçalo Inacio took advantage of some slack defending to bundle home from close range. 3-1.
That goal put some energy into the stadium and Sporting reacted to that, moving the ball and snapping into challenges much quicker than they did in the first half.
Arsenal, meanwhile, looked nervous and were struggling to keep possession with David Raya (booked) and Timber (not booked) both penalised for obvious time wasting.
But with 35 minutes remaining, Arteta’s men had a chance to put the game beyond doubt when Martin Odegaard advanced into the box and was fouled by Ousmane Diomande – who kicked through the Norwegian and was lucky to avoid seeing red – despite his protests.
Saka stepped up from twelve yards and buried the penalty with clinical precision, restoring the visitors’ three goal advantage. 4-1.
With the game heading towards full time, it was time to ring the changes with Mikel Merino and Trossard replacing Declan Rice and Gabriel Martinelli.
Oleksandr Zinchenko and Ethan Nwaneri also came on for Riccardo Calafiori and Odegaard whose minutes are being sensibly managed after their returns from injury.
Two substitutes were involved in the fifth goal, when Merino blasted an effort from range that was parried by the goalkeeper before Trossard was on hand to head home from close range. 5-1.
Viktor Gyokeres struck the post late on, before some late half chances for Timber, Havertz and Trossard but this was otherwise an impressive performance from the Gunners despite a small second-half wobble.
It’s difficult to underplay the return of Odegaard who continues to dictate this team, but this was another strong team display from Arsenal who built on their win against Nottingham Forest.
Just what the doctor ordered ahead of West Ham on Saturday.
To put things in context
Partey is the cog MNC which they have at the moment.
Absolutely brilliant simplicity..
A genuis/simple/press resistant metronome.
Odegard you brilliant Norwegian
How we’ve missed you.
The player on arsenal left side are probably vexing they are not seeing enough of the ball..
Cos that right side with Timber /saka/Odegard/TP5…
Is loaded and hot 🔥
SAKA looking like new maaaan
Have to say that I’m disappointed that Setford didn’t get on in the second half….
Let’s be humble.
Raya had to make some good saves in the second half so it could have been a terrible mistake.
What a way to attract Gyokeres to join us! Join us dude, not Amorim’s side!
If we need to make an assessment of Gyokores just get him out of Saliba’s pocket at training tomorrow!!!!
I think he’s joking.
‘‘Twas a joke I think!
Yep, Arteta’s stubborn unwillingness to make a tactical goalkeeper substitution when the game clearly calls for it…
Thats more like it!
Wow, wasn’t expecting that against unbeaten Sporting! Great performance, we are back up to speed!!
Lmao. That was a ridiculous first half display. Everyone to a man stood up and balled out today, but Timber! My word, what a footballer. Had no idea he was THAT good. Let’s keep this run going now because winning is so sweet 😋
He’s a bit like Lauren, the unsung Invincible hero
Some of the things he did on the ball today! He could genuinely play as an 8. To be that technically astute, solid in defending one-on-one, and have that burst of pace to evade markers on a whim is insane! The fact that it usually takes time for players to get back up to speed after an ACL makes me very excited. Cherry on top? He is only 23! Pheew
He is something else! Not a player I would even pin to a position. Just amazing at football. Which is nice.
Exactly. He was ghosting past opposition players like a tricky winger and passing the ball like a seasoned 10 at times.
Signing him and Odegaard for less than 90M of the Queen’s finest is seriously phenomenal business!
I think we’re only now starting to see him regain his full athleticism and confidence in his body after that injury. I said it before and I will again, I think he has the talent to be the absolute best in his position.
He has that great ability to beat a man with his first touch and play himself into space. And versatile enough to play in a variety of positions without it affecting his level. What might have been if he’d not been injured last season.
Glorious.
Gyokres got absolutely bossed by Gabriel tonight. Also our play out of the press was sensational at times. What a performance
He was pretty isolated the whole game. He showed enough to make me want him 🙂
Yeah, I was quietly impressed with him given his lack of service and support. Think he’d be a real handful in a better team.
Budget Haaland, didn’t like him
Haaland scores 50 goals a season, so even if a “budget” Haaland is only half as good, that’s still 25 goals a year. As loose_cannon said, he’d be a killer in a better team and I’d have him in a heartbeat. He’s so much better now than he was just two seasons ago.
Exactly. He had it tough, but still showed flashes of why he would be very highly likely to succeed at a bigger club (no disrespect to Sporting Lisbon, of course.) That one time he did Saliba and shot against the post despite Kiwior’s best attempt to foil him was applaudable.
I still do wonder if Isak isn’t even better.
Isak has that maverick goal out of nothing quality which I personally think we need but gyokres will fit better in the arteta mindset. Also I think isak is a no go, his price ask is gonna be ridiculous
Not that much difference between the two, though, is there? I’ve heard 115M quoted for Isak and 100M for Gyokeres.
He is a great player.
Having TP5, Timber, Calafiori as options in the first phase will drastically improve any team’s ability to play out from the back. Actually love how more reserved Calafiori has become since his return from injury.
Add Saliba to that list.
He’s a Wish.com Havertz
When I watched the Trossard goal I thought the sporting keeper was Tierney. Must be time for bed
Genuinely thought the same 😂
Hahaha thought he looked familiar
Superb performance tonight.
Odegaard is a world class player
He really is. That pen summed a lot of what he does up without people noticing. He does not just get his body between the ball and his opponent player, he weaponises it. Some crazy touch and skill that turn defending into attack with a drop of a shoulder. I’m 44 years old. Watched The Arsenal since I was 9. (Great year btw) Never seen a player like him but in terms of how he is unique in what he does, Bergkamp is who I think of. Maverick.
World class almost does him a disservice. Galaxy class…no that sounds too much like galactico. Multiverse class 👾
I’m constantly worried Odegaard is going to be called up to play in a higher league, Intergalactic Premier League or something like that.
I think Richard Keys was a pundit on that before he took his human form.
no you’re thinking of the Intergatwatic Premiork Leagit
That’s what the boys can do with everybody/most fit and not playing against dodgy refs.
Was that the best away performance in the competition since Milan 08?
Yes 😉
And it’s a massive yes from me too. Regarding Ode…. He’s different gravy
Out and out rout
Great team win. Well done lads. Arseblog and Arsenal Vision lads picked a good game to go to!!!
Don’t party too hard fellas 🤪
Thomas Partey is back to his best, practically unplayable.
Everything but the beginning of 2nd half was perfect.
Cannot see Timber’s ceiling tbh. This is his first season and man he is so technically and tactically gifted !!
Pele at RB
Pelé with Cruijff’s brain
How good was Timber!!!
He has all round amazing quality, but that burst of pace to take him away from the opposing player is unreal!
Yep, he’s got it all. Technical, secure in possession, attacking threat, gives Saka a bit more security to stay higher up… so glad he’s looking this sharp post the ACL
Teak, oak and sequoia tree in one
Best European away performance since inter 1-5 or Madrid 0-1. Almost flawless.
I forgot that 5-1. TF for YouTube- appreciate the reminder
I love White, but if that is Timber’s level, he’s going to have to get used to being the rotation option.
Gyorkeres looked very raw, more Hojland than Haaland, not worth the money Sporting want but I kinda liked him.
He had no service all game. In a better team, he will shine
Had scraps, nearly scored a solo goal.
Ladies and Gentlemen it falls to me to inform you all that The Arsenal are so, so back
And Man City are so, so fucked (for now). Which is nice. Hope they temporarily up their game against the scouse though 🙏🏻
Victor Gyokeres. Your audition for the big time ran into the best centre back pairing around right now, bounced off and settled neatly into Saliba’s pocket
Getting crowded in that pocket now, Gyokeres must be fighting with Salah and Haaland for some space.
The only way Victor can be 100% positive that he won’t have to be pocketed again by Gabriel and Saliba is if he joins Arsenal.
He should start trying to force a move to Arsenal for a knocked-down fee so he can rest easy.
10 for everyone! Arsenal were Victorious and Dominant Killers/Destroyers today!
Great result for The Arsenal.
The big striker question came up again. The response, 5 goals from 5 different players.
Also, this way Kai’s 8th goal of the season. He’s going for this 20+ goals season!
I didn’t expect the Partey renaissance. But he has been building momentum this season, and he looked so cool tonight. Some lovely control and turns out of pressure, followed by sharp forward passes… And that chipped pass to Saka!!!
Im swedish and i say 100 + millions for goykeres is absolutely redicilous. Its not even granted he is better than kai. Hes good i give him that but better than hååland like some says, nah.
I think you mean “it’s difficult to overplay the return of Odegaard” – definitely not underplay!