Arsenal’s dreams of Europa League glory were sadly blocked by Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16 on Thursday night.
Mikel Arteta’s team had high hopes of continuing their journey in the competition, hoping to also potentially secure a double victory.
Unfortunately, Ruben Armorim’s men didn’t succumb to that plan and defeated Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Granit Xhaka fired past Hélio Fuchs to put Arsenal ahead, but Pedro Goncalves’s spectacular and clever lob over Aaron Ramsdale equalised for Sporting Lisbon.
In the penalty shootout, youngster Gabriel Martinelli was unable to complete his spot-kick meaning Sporting advanced.
NaijNaira now looks at four players who underperformed during this loss; Fabio Vieira, Aaron Ramsdale, Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.
While Fabio Vieira began brightly playing into the boos from Sporting supporting fans, he faded out with Martin Odegaard coming on in his stead as Arsenal improved subsequently.
Aaron Ramsdale usually places high up the field for attack but failed to react quickly enough for Gonclaves’s goal; despite saving a shot late in normal time he was unable to save any penalties from Sporting players in the shootout.
Leandro Trossard has done superbly since arriving from Brighton which made his missed chance at defeating Sporting much more hurtful.
While Gabriel Martinelli was a lively presence throughout yet failed in his penalty trouser causing joy among away supporters and ending any possibility of a European trophy returning home to London with The Gunners this year.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
