Arsenal produced a scintillating performance to crush Sporting CP 5-1 in Lisbon, securing their biggest away win in the Champions League since 2003.
Against a Sporting side unbeaten all season and boasting a 100 per cent home record, the Gunners delivered a statement victory that reaffirmed their credentials on the European stage.
Bukayo Saka was central to the success, registering an assist and a goal on a memorable night. The winger set up Kai Havertz for Arsenal’s second goal before calmly dispatching a penalty in the second half to halt a brief Sporting resurgence.
Reflecting on his first-ever away goal in the Champions League, Saka expressed pride in the team’s performance. “We showed ourselves tonight on the top level. The away fans were top tonight—I could hear them all game,” he said, adding, “It’s our biggest Champions League away win in over 20 years. We came and played against a top team who hasn’t lost at home this season, so we’re really proud.”
The match began with Arsenal asserting themselves early, Gabriel Martinelli opening the scoring inside 10 minutes. The Brazilian forward latched onto Jurrien Timber’s low cross to beat Franco Israel, silencing the partisan Estadio José Alvalade crowd.
Arsenal continued to dominate and doubled their advantage midway through the first half when Saka’s clever ball found Havertz, who tapped in after Saka had nutmegged the keeper.
The hosts—accustomed to controlling proceedings at home—struggled to cope with Arsenal’s relentless movement and precision. The third goal arrived on the stroke of half-time, Gabriel Magalhães powering home a header from Declan Rice’s corner to cap a near-perfect first-half display.
Sporting briefly threatened a comeback early in the second half. Gonçalo Inácio turned in a near-post corner shortly after the restart, lifting the home crowd. However, Arsenal quickly reasserted control. Martin Ødegaard earned a penalty after being fouled by Ousmane Diomande, and Saka stepped up to restore the three-goal cushion.
Leandro Trossard added the final goal of the evening late on, converting a rebound after Mikel Merino’s long-range effort was parried.
Mikel Arteta’s substitutions maintained the team’s intensity, with Ethan Nwaneri nearly adding a sixth in the closing stages.
Arteta hailed the victory as a significant milestone. “This is a team in top form—don’t think they’ve lost a game here in 18 months so that tells you the level and the difficulty of it,” he said. “We showed great energy, belief, and purpose. against Inter there were some things that didn’t go our way, but I said to them, we continue to go in that direction, we are going to win some big, big matches in this competition and today we have managed to do that.” He also praised the travelling supporters, describing their impact as “incredible.”
Arsenal’s win ended a five-game winless streak in Champions League away fixtures and marked their return to form after a tough loss to Inter Milan. The result leaves them well-positioned in the group stage, with three matches remaining, including two at home.
Next up, Arsenal travel to West Ham United for a Premier League clash on Saturday before hosting Manchester United midweek. Their next Champions League match is at home against Monaco on December 11.
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