Gabriel Martinelli missed from the penalty spot as Sporting produced one of the shock football scores of the midweek action in the Europa League. Even before the shootout, which the visitors won 5-3, it was clear that the second leg had everything. Arsenal appeared to be on track to qualify comfortably when Granit Xhaka tucked in the rebound from Martinelli’s first-half attempt, but the Gunners failed to fire in the second half and were stunned by Pedro Goncalves’ spectacular lob from the center circle. That was a strike that would have reminded Arsenal fans of Nayim’s 1995 UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup Final goal past David Seaman, with Aaron Ramsdale rushing back into his own goalmouth in vain.
In extra time, Leandro Trossard’s attempt was deflected against a post before Sporting goalkeeper Antonio Adan produced another spectacular save to deny Gabriel’s header. The Arsenal defender was then denied in the 118th minute by a goal-line stop from Ousmane Diomande before Manuel Ugarte was sent off for the visitors. Sporting eventually won, with Nuno Santos scoring the game-winning penalty. With a five-point advantage in the Premier League, Mikel Arteta’s side must devote their entire attention to domestic concerns, as Crystal Palace visit the Emirates on Sunday.
On a wet and stormy night in north London, these two sides created a memorable collision after serving up an uncontrolled but exciting game in Lisbon in the first leg. Gabriel Jesus was the focus heading into the game, and he looked sharp on his first start since November, lasting 45 minutes as he ramped up his rehabilitation from knee surgery and was on the verge of scoring from Reiss Nelson’s cross 15 minutes in. Arsenal took the lead soon after. Jorginho had just lobbed a through pass into the box for Fabio Vieira, but his slide rule effort from his own half was the defense-splitter he needed, allowing Martinelli to race through on goal.
Arsenal had already lost Takehiro Tomiyasu to injury by that point, and William Saliba went out before play resumed, but the disruption in the backline had no effect on their offensive play, with Sporting goalkeeper Adan coming up big to deny Martinelli and Jesus in rapid succession. Sporting looked dangerous on the break thanks to Jeremiah Saint Juste’s strong dribbles, and Ugarte’s drilled attempt was deflected inches wide shortly before halftime. They started the second half on top, just like they started the first, and they made it count in spectacular fashion.
Sporting had held Arsenal back from the outset, but it was Goncalves’ brilliant strike from near the halfway line that brought them level, catching Ramsdale off guard. When Paulinho headed into the roof of the net from a corner and Marcus Edwards shot a one-on-one chance into Ramsdale’s face, it appeared as if Sporting’s momentum had shifted. Arsenal had chances in extra time, and Trossard was inches away from securing it when Adan got a touch to his attempt, sending the ball skidding off the slick surface and into the post.
In the waning stages of play, another spectacular save was made to keep Gabriel out before Diomande denied the defender on the goal line. Following all of that, there was still time for Ugarte to be sent out, this time with a second yellow card for sliding in on Bukayo Saka. Martin Odegaard, Saka, and Trossard were all certain from the spot, but Martinelli’s strike down the middle fell short of their certainty, and Nuno Santos made it five from five for Sporting.
“We really hoped to fight for the competition, so this was a major setback. Sporting Lisbon deserves congratulations for making it this far,” Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said. “We didn’t find our rhythm and flow, we left too many gaps, and we gave the ball away much too often. We got the flow, produced three good chances, and didn’t score in the final 20 minutes. We showed amazing energy and mental toughness in extra time, and we had two good chances. Yet it’s a lottery in the penalty shootout. The disappointment will not go away, but it will provide insight. We now have a final: Crystal Palace.”
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