Here’s Nick Ames and his report from the Emirates. he says they were below par, just as Arteta and Odegaard said they were.
Thanks for sticking with me. It was long but it was loads of fun. G’night all!
Now a word from Mikel Arteta:
It’s a huge blow, obviously. There were moments were we gave every ball away. We had chances in the last 15 minutes and in extra time.
We didn’t win enough duels. We didn’t put them under pressure. Every time we got in a dangerous area we gave the ball away.
We have to look at ourselves and why we weren’t good enough to go through. We congratulate Sporting and have to be better against Palace.
Here’s Arsenal captain, Martin Odegaard:
We did enough in some periods of the game but most of the game we weren’t at the level we needed to be. It was a tight game and could have gone either way.
They’re a good team. We knew that, we were prepared. But it was more about us. We didn’t play the way we normally play. That was disappointing.
We have to remember that it’s been a great season. We’ve done great things. We have to look forward and come back stronger.
For what it’s worth, and as the BT panel have clearly moved on from this game, Arsenal’s next fixtures are as follows:
Crystal Palace (H) – 19 March
Leeds (H) – 1 April
Liverpool (A) – 9 April
West Ham (A) – 16 April
Southampton (H) – 21 April
Manchester City (A) – 26 April
Keown is not letting this go. “Arsenal will be a lot happier not playing on a Thursday”. We get it Marty. We get it.
Martin Keown on BT now is saying the quite part out loud, wondering if this is actually “a blessing in disguise”. Look, no one likes losing a cup tie and getting dumped out of Europe. But I think I agree wit the Marty (I call him Marty). The Premier League is first prize and one less distraction could be the difference. Maybe, maybe not. But at least now Arteta has nothing else to worry about.
I wonder if the Sporting faithful have had the same idea as Peter Oh:
“Depeche Mode fans among the traveling support could do worse than break into a chant of “St. Juste Can’t Get Enough!”
Just in case you need reminding:
I got this email from David [no last name given] just as extra time was starting. He clearly knew something I didn’t:
“They’re actually going to troll us until the very end, and win nothing whatsoever, aren’t they? Imagine this lot against Real Madrid. Liverpool were bad, but the gulf to this Arsenal team, when it gets to the pointy end would be enormous. Lambs to the slaughter. What exactly happened in the space of a year that the entire premier league suddenly seems totally inept, bloated and useless? Exposed, Canute-like for all to see?
Interesting that the FA Cup QF’s contain 4 non-prem teams too. Another reflection of the malaise, whatever it is? And before I forget. Well played Sporting.”
Arsenal were probably the better team tonight but that doesn’t count for much when you don’t take your chances. Just not enough incision in the final third but let’s take nothing away from Sporting who battled back after being steamrolled in the first half and equalised with an absolute worldie from Goncalves. That strike, from 46 metres out, is one that will be replayed throughout the season. Arsenal ended the match with just about their best XI on the park but still couldn’t make it count. Adan saved twice in extra time. First with a one on one with Trossard that he nudged onto the post and then to a header from Gabriel that was tipped over late on. Those stops gave his team a chance and when Martinelli fluffed his spot kick, Adan again produced the goods.
Sporting through on penalties!
What a shoot out. What a game. What a tie! That really was a classic and Sporting are through to the quarterfinals after Santos powered the winner past Ramsdale who dived the right way but couldn’t lay a glove on it. Five out of five from the visitors and Arsenal are crashing out.
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SCORED! Sporting 5-3 Arsenal Santos takes a huge run up and blasts it to the left of Ramsdale who had no chance and Sporting win it!
SAVED! Sporting 4-3 Arsenal Martinelli is kept out by Adan who guesses the right way. It’s not far enough in the corner and the keeper saves with both hands as he dives to his left.
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SCORED! Sporting 4-3 Arsenal Gomes goes left and low. Ramsdale guesses correctly but can’t reach it with his outstretched hand.
SCORED! Sporting 3-3 Arsenal Trossard side foots and squeezes it under Adan. It wasn’t in the corner but it was firm enough.
SCORED! Sporting 3-2 Arsenal It’s not a good penalty and Ramsdale gets a strong hand on it as he dives to the right. But Inacio has enough on it to find the net.
SCORED! Sporting 2-2 Arsenal Saka, as calm as you like, rolls it to the right as Adan dives left. Very assured from the England forward.
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SCORED! Sporting 2-1 Arsenal Esgaio seems to rush Ramsdale and flat foots him as he swats it to the keeper’s right.
SCORED! Sporting 1-1 Arsenal Odegaard sends the keeper the wrong way and slots it home to the left with a side foot.
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SCORED! Sporting 1-0 Arsenal. St Juste goes high into the top left corner and gets things going.
Yup. Sporting will take the first penalty.
Adan wins the coin flip so Sporting will be facing their three thousand boisterous fans. Not sure who’s taking the first kick though. I think it’s Sporting.
My goodness. This is great! Not if you’re a fan of either team, of course. Even I’m nervous. Now it comes down the coin toss. Do you take the first kick or do you play in front of your fans? That decision could be decisive. They’re tossing a coin now.
Full Time: Arsenal 1-1 Sporting
So we’re heading to penalties. 210 minutes. Three goals each. Arsenal certainly ended the tie the better team but they couldn’t settle this so we’re going to the relative lottery of a penalty shootout. This stadium has never hosted one before. Buckle up folks.
121+1 min: Ramsdale launches it long. Partey to Saka before Odegaard puts a ball into the box but no one is there to nod it in so Adan pounces on it. That should be that.
Yellow Card! Sporting (Diomande, 120)
Things are unraveling a touch. That’s another card late on.
119 min: The free kick is over hit. Penalties loom.
Red Card! Sporting (Ugarte, 117)
No complaints there. He’s received a second yellow but it could have been a straight red. Cynical to bring down Saka on the break and he’s rightly sent off.
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118 min: Sporting clear off the line from a scrap. Sporting break and then so do Arsenal and Saka is absolutely monstered by a dirty tackle.
117 min: Adan has pulled off a blinder. A strong header from Gabriel at the back post off a whipped free kick is going towards goal but the Sporting keeper lifts it over the bar.
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115 min: Trossard plays a back heel pass inside the box. Shoot! He doesn’t. Not sure what he was thinking. That’s probably that. Good work down the right again with Saka standing up his man. To be fair to Trossard, the ball was behind him.
114 min: Zinchenko and Martinelli play their own game on the left. They then include their mates and the ball is worked right. Odegaard can’t cut open the Sporting defence and they break but Arsenal have it back. Trossard can’t manoeuvre a shooting chance from a cross from the left.
113 min: Inacio needs his hamstrings stretched. Arsenal have the throw and build patiently from the back. They don’t want to waste their chance. Just one, that’s all they need.
112 min: Sporting have it back after sustained probing from Arsenal. There’s a foul and no one in green is in a rush to take the free kick inside their own half. They’re holding on for penalties or at least one last chance at a winner.
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110 min: Arsenal controlling the tempo now. Odegaard, who has been brilliant since he came on, slides in a ball for Zaka who then clips a cross that’s claimed by Adan at the near post. The Arsenal skipper is at it again. He’s absolutely bossing this from the inside right channel.
107 min: Zinchenko’s good ball infield finds Odegaard in space. Trossard has it inside the box on the left courtesy of a slide against the grain from Martinelli. But the cross is too deep and is out for a goal kick.
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106 min: Partey pounces on a loose ball near the edge of the box and tries to curl it inside the far post with his right boot. But the angle and swerve is always taking it away from goal.
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Half Time of Extra Time: Arsenal 1-1 Sporting
Trossard perhaps should have done better there after being handed a golden opportunity from a Chermiti who played a poor backwards pass from midfield. But credit to Adan whose big right hand diverted the shot onto the bar. Arsenal won that 15 minute period on points but it’s goals that count. Can someone nick one?
105 min: Saka’s left footed in swinger is superb. Holding attacks it at the near post but can’t keep his header down. Great run from the defender. Would have been a quality goal.
104 min: Zinchenko’s cross from the left is too high for Saka but Arsenal recycle and get it back in. Trincao is subbed for Arthur Gomes and his first contribution is to concede a corner. Before that’s taken the ref has to sort out a scuffle that’s broken out in the box. Xhaka, as you’d expect, is at the heart of it.
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102 min: Odegaard, wearing the captain’s armband, rallies the Arsenal crowd. There’s a sense of expectation now. But Sporting break and Trincao is found except he can’t control it. The game is stretching now.
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101 min: Arsenal are having joy through the guts of Sporting. Some holes are starting to open in the defence and Odegaard slips in a ball for Saka, but he’s off side. Still, there will be chances if they can keep plugging away.
100 min: Viera off for Odegaard. Now’s as good a time as any to be a hero.
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Yellow card! Arsenal (Partey, 100)
Slick footwork from the centre back Inacio wrong foots Partey and the pair come together. A high forearm catches Inacio in the face and Partey is booked.
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97 min: Trossard hits the post! Chermiti gifts the Arsenal striker the ball and he carries it towards goal. It’s a one on one with the keeper as the centre backs close in. He shoots as he slips and Adan gets a strong hand on it to deflect it away and it bobbles and bobbles and clangs the upright. What a moment!
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96 min: Arsenal keep the ball for a spell. Certainly has that cup tie extra time feel to it. Two tired teams probing, inviting the other to make a mistake. Saka is put in behind but can’t get there before it goes out for a goal kick on the right.
94 min: White steps up and nicks it off Trincao. He’s created the chance but his pass forward is far too heavy and it dribbles for a goal kick.
93 min: A change for Sporting. Gocalves is off for Essugo, a youngster born in Lisbon. Santos is on as well for Reis.
Viera looking at Xhaka asking him why he didn’t make the run. Xhaka wondering why Viera didn’t turn and shoot himself.
91 min: Over played there from Arsenal. Saka ghosts past his man down the right and plays it back across the goal. More neat play has it break for Viera who tries to roll an audacious back heel for a midfielder on the edge of the box. He’d have been better off controlling it and shooting instead.
Extra Time: Arsenal 1-1 Sporting
All square after 180 minutes. Xhaka got the opener in the first half and Arsenal then proceeded to dominate. But Sporting roared back in the second period and bagged the equaliser with a simply stunning strike 46 metres out as Goncalves beat Ramsdale from over the horizon. The Arsenal keeper made up for it a while later as he got his face in the way of a firm shot from Edwards and Arsenal held on as their guests exerted themselves. They’re all set to go so let’s get back in.
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90+3 min: The ref blows his whistle. There’s too much jostling in the box. Gabriel I think is the guilty party. Get comfy folks. We’ve almost certainly got another 30 minutes of football to go.
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90+2 min: Martinelli, who has been Arsenal’s best player in my opinion, does so well to win the ball back. He’s still fighting for a winner. Xhaka is deep and plays to Zinchenko who passes to Trossard on the left. The Belgian drives to the byline and is tackled but Arsenal have a corner. They can’t, can they?
90+1 min: Edwards takes a pot shot. It’s high over the bar. Wasn’t on.
90 min: Four minutes of added time for a winner. Otherwise we’re going to extra time. Sporting have the ball. They’re jabbing but can’t find the space for that knockout blow.
89 min: Sporting make a change. Paulinho, who had a great game, is off for the 19-year-old Chermiti who has an 80 million euro release clause.
88 min: A lull in play until Sporting build an attack. St Juste finds Trincao and then carries on his run and almost gets the ball back in the Arsenal box. But it’s hacked away. Sporting get it back and come again.
87 min: Saka does well to hook in a cross from the right after making a good run behind the defence but no one is there to meet it. Arsenal pressing.
84 min: Saka gets the ball at the byline, brilliant ball from Trossard. Saka cuts back but no one is there to tap in. Martinelli is at the back post and shoots. There’s an appeal for a handball on the block but it’s immaterial. Saka was offside.
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83 min: Trincao shoots inside the box and it’s blocked. Another reminder that Sporting are chasing a win.
82 min: It’s not a bad corner to the back post but Xhaka is maybe put off by Gabriel who also goes for the ball. As the captain is leaning back he can’t control his header and it’s out for a goal kick.
81 min: Martinelli’s cross from the left is blocked. Xhaka inside the box tries to cut back at the byline and is felled but it’s no foul. Corner instead. Trossard to take it.
80 min: Getting a bit cagey now. Both teams committing a few fouls. Must be some tired legs. Sporting haven’t made a change.
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79 min: Viera gets it on target, curling it from left to right but it’s easy for Adan who chooses to punch rather than catch.
78 min: Arsenal have a free kick within range, just about. It’ll be one mighty strike to find the net from here. Partey and Viera weighing it up bang in the middle about 35 yards out.
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77 min: Edwards has a cross blocked on the right but gets another chance to whip it in. Ramsdale sticks out his mitts and catches it clean. Just that lack of precision from Sporting. Had they been sharper they’d be out of sight in this second half.
76 min: Martinelli is down after St Juste climbs all over him and heads it away. It’s legal, but Martinelli felt that.
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75 min: Ramsdale is alright and it’s a corner for Sporting. They play it short. Not sure why. It’s a complete waste. Still, they find a chance to shoot but it’s never troubling the Arsenal goal as Goncalves is leaning back throughout the strike.
73 min: What a save! That’s is as good as a goal from Ramsdale. Sporting burst through the middle after winning the ball back. Edwards is on side and is one on one with the Arsenal keeper. The shot is firm and heading towards goal. Actually, it’s hit Ramsdale flush in the face and he’s down for the time being. He’ll happily wear that. He doesn’t look comfortable and is receiving medical attention. Hope he’s OK. That was brave goalkeeping.
Yellow card: Arsenal (Holding, 72)
I can’t believe that’s a foul. I also can’t believe that’s a card. I suppose it was from behind.
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70 min: Arsenal with a bit of the ball to play with. They’ve lost their midfield it seems and Trossard has to come deep to help. He’s crowded out but it breaks for Martinelli who shakes off his marker. The ball works its way down to Saka on the right who delivers a decent ball in the box. But there’s a foul as Sporting get in the way and Arsenal have to start again.
68 min: The corner is cleared but not very far and it’s sent right back in the mix. A sort of up and under rugby style. Holding clears. Anywhere will do. But Sporting have it back and recycle. They lose their patience and so Arsenal, with Ramsdale’s hands on the ball, can take a breath.
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67 min: Sporting are dominating this. They steal the ball back with Trincao dancing about, flicking and flacking. A shot comes in and it dribbles for a corner. The set piece is fizzed in to the near post and it’s headed out for another. The away fans can sense the shifting of the tides.
66 min: Arteta has recongised that things need to change so he’s making a double switch. Partey and Saka are on to add some extra zip. Nelson and Jorginho are off.
65 min: Another huge chance for Sporting. Paulinho headers just, and I do mean just, over the bar from a corner. Arsenal are losing control of this.
That goal was a thing of beauty but it’s also a consequence of Arsenal giving the ball away. They were in possession which is why Ramsdale was off his line. But the swift change meant he was caught out and Goncalves took full advantage. Just brilliant!
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Sporting (Goncalves, 61)
A stunner! What a goal! He’s just lobbed Ramsdale from the halfway line. He spots the keeper off his line and launches an inch perfect shot that sails into the net. Quality! Genius! Just superb. A goal from nothing and you know what, Sporting deserve that.
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60 min: A good ball from the left towards the centre circle from Gabriel gets things going for Arsenal. The ball is shovelled on for Viera who finds Xhaka at the far post. The skipper nods it back for Trossard making a late run but he can’t bring it down. Goal kick. Better from Arsenal.
58 min: Sporting are passing it well but it’s all in front of Arsenal’s back four. What’s lacking is a good ball in the box or one in behind. Trincao has come alive in this second half. Arsenal give the ball back twice in two minutes. They look rattled for some reason. Sporting rising.
57 min: Arsenal starting to see more of the ball. Just slowing things down, catching their breath. Zinchenko can’t bring down a Ramsdale lob and Sporting have it back. The visitors are putting extra pressure on the Arsenal left back. They’ve spotted something there.
55 min: Another Zinchenko mistake sees possession change. Sporting have a throw in the right but the Ukrainian makes up for his transgression and exert pressure to get the ball back.
That was very solid work from Holding who made sure Paulinho’s firm shot never reached Ramsdale. He stuck to his task superbly.
54 min: A poor pass from Zinchenko gifts the ball away. Sporting build slowly before unleashing Paulinho who gets a shot away inside the box on the right but it’s blocked.
Yellow Card! Sporting (Ugarte, 53)
He’s complaining but I have no idea why. Martinelli was clear past him on the left touchline and an ugly hack brought him down.
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Really good from Ramsdale. He had to dive in front of the Sporting forward making a dart to the near post.
51 min: Ramsdale needed to be sharp there to snuff out the danger from a wicked low cross from the right from Esgaio. Sporting all over their hosts.
49 min: Goncalves takes the ball 40 yards to the edge of the box and as he’s about to shoot he’s brought down. No foul but Sporting get it back. It finds its way to Goncalves who lets off a hopeful shot that sails high over the bar. Sporting definitely the better of the two in this second period so far.
47 min: Good start for Sporting. Ugarte jiggles through a crowd on the left and plays in a diagonal for Pualinho on the run. He eventually dinks a ball to the back post but the attack doesn’t materialise into a shooting chance. Still, nice play that started with the goalkeeper.
OK then. We’re off. It’s bucketing down in north London. Arsenal 45 minutes away from a European quarterfinal.
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“Hi Daniel,” good evening Peter Oh.
“If my sources are reliable, Sporting not-of-London have as many London-born players on the pitch as Arsenal London (Marcus Edwards and Reiss Nelson).”
Global village, innit?
Jesus is off! Likely always the plan just to give him 45 minutes. Trossard will start the second half.
To our grumpy reader before the game, it is actually Arsenal London in some parts of the world:
@danielgallan Here in Germany it tends to be Arsenal London, even says so on that fount of all knowledge: https://t.co/5WJEM4BkWw (oder im deutschsprachigen Raum auch Arsenal London genannt )
— Seb Emulating a Mainframe 🇩🇪🇪🇺 🎸🍻 (@bosnews) March 16, 2023
The highlights on BT are proving my point. Sporting have had their moments. Edwards down the right and Paulinho through the middle have both shown how dangerous they can be. Both have shown jet heels and with a bit more decisive action and thought they might have found a better scoring chance.
“Greetings from Virginia Dan,” hi Eagle Brosi. I really hope that’s your real name.
“That poor ref, blocking Zinchenko from the corner was probably innocent but it’s going to be used by countless YouTubers as further proof of the big ref conspiracy against Arsenal. Here’s hoping that’s the only incident this game.”
Half Time: Arsenal 1-0 Sporting
The corner comes to nothing and Arsenal hold on to their deserved lead. Sporting started the brighter of the two teams but as soon as Arsenal’s press going going they bossed the midfield and looked the more threatening of the two teams. Xhaka got his goal to make it the most productive season he’s ever had. Martinelli has been lively down the left and Jesus has produced some moments of joy with twinkling toes and dipping shoulders. But Sporting won’t go away and came alive as the half wound down, producing a few shots of their own to remind their hosts that this ain’t over.
45+4 min: It’s a firm strike from Ugarte after some probing and prodding from Sporting. Someone had to put their boot through the ball and he duly does so. It takes a nick and goes out for a corner, whistling past the outside post.
Yellow Card! Arsenal (Xhaka, 45+3)
Trincao breaks through the middle and he scampers away from the Arsenal midfield. But Xhaka, that old fox, brings him down with a tug of the shirt. Can’t do that so he’s in the book.
45+2 min: White plays a long ball over the top for Jesus. That’s the third time by my count that he’s looked to find the Arsenal front man that way down the right flank. Something to keep an eye on.
45+1 min: Four minutes of added time. That corner is too deep and there’s no one on the back post for Sporting. Ooo, was Jorginho holding on to a Sporting player? He was. But not firm enough to go to VAR.
45 min: ~Sporting have a corner after Edwards’ shot from the right of the Arsenal box is deflected. Good work in the build up.
43 min: Sporting fighting back now. But they’re picked off in midfield again. Martinelli has it wide left before Sporting win it back. Edwards down the right but there’s no space to Paulinho and the attack dissipates.
42 min: A poor ball offers a reprieve for Arsenal. Sporting have a three on three break and Edwards has Paulinho to his left. A decent pass would have him through on goal but he over hits it and it dribbles out for a goal kick. A real let off there.
40 min: Ramsdale has to play sweeper as a long ball needs seeing to. Paulinho collects the ball on the halfway line and drives, and drives and drives until he’s on the edge of the box and shoots. But it’s miles wide. Still, shows how small the margins are.
39 min: Jorginho gets a talking to for a late challenge in midfield. Sporting just can’t get the ball. Arsenal swarm them at every turn. White plays it long but it’s no good. Doesn’t matter. Viera wins it high up the field.
Sporting slowing things down. They need to get a handle on it or else they’ll get blown away.
38 min: Oh, someone shoot! A little too cute from Arsenal. Not that it would have counted as they’re pulled up for off-side. Martinelli this time. He’s causing all sorts of problems down the left.
As Matthew Carpenter-Arevalo points out, the referee has a name. It’s Antonio Mateu Lopez, “of Argentina-Netherlands fame’”. Thanks Matt.
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35 min: Martinelli has to retrieve a ball in the left corner and does so with the utmost composure. He had no business making it look that easy. He even works the space to play a ball for Jesus who has his dancing shoes on but he can’t orchestrate a shooting opportunity from the inside right of the box. Arsenal think they should have had a corner after a neat one-two between Jesus and Nelson.
34 min: Zinchenko works his way out of a tight spot and Xhaka launches another attack. It’s worked down the left and recycled for Gabriel. He has nowhere to go so feeds White. The crowd groan. Something was on there but Arsenal are patient. They’re building again with Xhaka and Jorginho biding their time.
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32 min: Arsenal are in the zone here. They’re so sharp. Even when playing short passes at the back they look like a team on a mission. Xhaka dictating the tempo in the quarterback role. Viera running about like. White clips a ball for Martinelli but he’s offside. Credit to the high line from Sporting.
30 min: Brilliant from Jesus. He gets the ball under pressure outside the box. He drops his shoulder, beats one, then another, worms his way into the box and shoots. He tries to sneak it into the inside post and it’s well saved. Just wonderful footwork.
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28 min: The referee gets in the way of Zinchenko at the top of the box but Arsenal recycle it. Martinelli has a shooting chance and he obliges but Adan saves. Sporting counter and Edwards has a shot inside the Arsenal box after bringing a bouncing ball down. Zinchenko, galloping across the length of the field, blocks the shot.
27 min: Jesus picks up a loose ball and drives down the middle. He plays it short to the left and Zinchenko puts Martinelli into space on the overlap. The cross os blocked. Corner.
26 min: Arsenal counter with Viera and he feeds Martinelli down the right. Jesus has it on the left and dinks one for Martinelli in the box. But it’s too long.
Yellow card! Arsenal (Viera, 24)
The Portuguese with a wand of a left foot uses it to commit a foul and his name is the first in the book.
22 min: Arsenal are thrumming now. Jesis wriggles down the right and wins a throw-in after some neat work. He’s put in space again and drives to the box. He’s fouled! Is that a penalty? No! He was offside when he received the ball. Lucky for Sporting.
21 min: Another forced change as Saliba makes way for Holding. That’s two of the starting back four now on the bench.
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GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Sporting (Xhaka 19)
The captain sweeps home the opener! It’s a great run from Martinelli down the left and a perfect ball to pick him out. He charges towards goal and slips as he shoots. He still gets it on target and Adan’s save is pushed right in the path of Xhaka who strikes it cleanly and confidently towards the far corner. Ruthless from the Gunners.
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18 min: A penalty shout ius waved away by the referee. Jorginho’s delicious chip into the box found a Viera on the overlap and he’s brought down. But the Sproting defender definitely won the ball.
17 min: A great ball from Nelson on the right bisects the defenders and the ‘keeper and Jesus gets something on it. Not enough and Adan can adjust and save (though I think that was missing anyway). First bit of real quality from the home side. Jesus is fouled on the left so a chance to put on in the mixer.
16 min: Zinchenko plays a swift ball from left to right to Viera. Jorginho clips one over the top but it’s asking too much of Jesus and Adan collects. But that was the start of something for Arsenal.
14 min: Sporting now attacking down both flanks after starting quite narrow. Bossing it right now. Arsenal can’t lay a glove on them. Trincao is everywhere. Xhaka puts a boot in and gets the ball back.
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11 min: Sporting looking good. Diomande at the back is confidence personified as he steps forward. Arsenal aren’t getting near them with the press.A great ball down the right finds Trincao who has switched flanks. He cuts back inside and shoots to the far corner. It’s always missing but it’s not too far away. Good football.
9 min: Sporting have settled and win the ball back as Zinchenko runs into a crowded area down the left. Sporting press again and force a change of possession in midfield. Goncalves puts in a cross to the back post but Gabriel does enough to block off the run and it goes out for a goal kick.
8 min: Tomiyasu is off and White is on. That was not part of the plan.
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7 min: Sporting choose to play the free kick short down the left. They get in the box but the danger is snuffed out. They have the ball back but Arsenal retain their shape and eventually force a hopeful ball that bobbles to Ramsdale. Tomiyasu is down. He might have tweaked his groin or knee after being flummoxed by that Trincao turn. A real ankle snapper that one. Ben White is gearing up.
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6 min: That high press is working a charm and Jesus almost latches on to a loose pass at the back from Sporting’s Inacio. Sporting have a free kick after a beautiful turn from Trincoa bamboozles Tomiyasu. It’s wide enough to whip to the far post. A chance here.
4 min: Swift pressing from Arsenal. Sporting are narrow in midfield so Arsenal are looking to squeeze the space. They do so and win the ball back. Viera with some good harrying.
2 min: Arsenal with the ball for the opening few minutes. Martinelli down the left tonight can’t get to the ball in behind the defence.
Right then. Arsenal in their red strip with Sporting in their famous green and white hoops. I’m not a supporter of either team but this is a clash of two clubs with a history of gorgeous kits. I’m a big, BIG fan of this Sporting number.
Anyway, here we go!
“Is it surprising that Arsenal’s fabulous season and smart investments haven’t resulted in an outpouring of love and support for one Enos Stanley Kroenke? What does the guy have to do? Personally, I think the David Crosby moustache is holding him back.”
I think a few people aren’t ready just yet to eat humble pie, Gordan Burns.
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“Living abroad in the 90s, it was quite common to see London clubs reffered to with ’London’ added on in the local press.
“To their eternal embarrassment though, only West Ham actually use the city’s name. It’s even on their crest.”
Love this, Julian Menz, cheers. My British partner is always amused by the “LONDON” on the sign of any Ted Baker store in my native South Africa.
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“No Hector BellerIn in lineup or on bench in either leg? Is he injured or far down the pecking order? Was looking forward to his reunion with arsenal. Cheers!”
So was I, Brett Henrikson, but seems as if the Spaniard hasn’t recovered from a knee injury he picked up in training. A pity.
“Hi Dan,” hi Simon Thomas. Excited for this?
“Glasgow Rangers and Glasgow Celtic is a bit annoying too. As is ‘AC’. Milan’s name is already anglicised to our benefit, so to then bastardise it is appalling.
And don’t get me started on AFCs Bournemouth and Wimbledon. I even saw an alphabetical Premier League table this season that had Bournemouth top after 0 games.”
It’s a minefield!
““A wand of a left foot” - I blame Harry Potter and the rise of magical thinking and all kinds of regrettable irrationality. Whatever happened to the good old-fashioned, educated left foot? Also Tolkein, but that’s probably another story.”
I’ll accept blaming the Harry Potter, but I’ll hear no bad words said about Tolkein, Charles Antaki.
Rúben Amorim is on BT and has this to say:
Arsenal play with a high intensity. They know already that we are strong defending and with the ball.
We can score. It is going to be a tough game but in one game anything is possible.
[The suspended] Sebastian Coates is a senior player. We will put a very good player in his position. Everybody is ready.
I saw [Arsenal] play against Man City. it will be a very good team of Arsenal. We are ready to do a great job.
I think the Europa League is harder [than the Champions League] [for real?]
Tom Hopkins has the first contribution to the annoying name mix-up theme I proposed earlier.
“Evening Daniel. I guess the whole Inter Milan situation is the most direct equivalent? Although I understand that Notts Forest fans get annoyed about being referred to as Notts Forest for some reason?”
Great shout. I’ve definitely been guilty of calling Inter ‘Milan’.
There’s a bit of history between these two. They first clashed in the 1969/70 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. Back then they drew the first game in Lisbon before Arsenal thumped Sporting 3-0 at Highbury to advance. The Gunners would go on lift the title, their first European honour.
If that’s not a sign I don’t know what is.
Fabio Viera has just been described on BT as a player with a “wand of a left foot”. So, if you haven’t seen it already, please watch this immediately.
He’s got a wand of a left foot pic.twitter.com/2ltkEQaDzd
— Bryan’s Gunn (@bryansgunn) March 12, 2023
An angry Tweeter has pointed out that Arsenal are playing Sporting Club de Portugal and not Sporting Lisbon as myself and others have said.
“Are they playing Arsenal London?” our grumpy correspondent asks. Fair enough, mate. Will be conscious of that moving forward.
Any other fans of any other sports team get annoyed by something similar. As a fan of the Lions rugby team in Johannesburg, it irked me when the British & Irish Lions toured. Not sure if that counts but it’s the angriest I’ve ever been as a result of sporting nomenclature.
Updated
Rest assured, Arsenal fans, Mikel Arteta wants this. He wants it bad. It’s European football at the Emirates and he’s eager to prove that his boys belong at the main table.
7.5/10. They’d have received a higher grade if they tied a scarf around a a King’s Guard bearskin and draped another over a tray of Greggs sausage rolls.
Ready for another @EuropaLeague night 👊🇬🇧 #ARSSCP #DiaDeSporting #UEL pic.twitter.com/gp57X0JcYF
— Sporting Clube de Portugal (@Sporting_CP) March 16, 2023
Updated
While you get ready for this one, let’s cast our minds back a bit to this lovely piece from Nick Ames where he heaps praise on Gabriel Jesus, a man adored by the Gunners supporters. They’ll love him a whole lot more if he bags the winner tonight:
Jesus returns
Making his long awaited second coming after a lengthy injury, Jesus starts for Arsenal for the first time since November.
Arsenal: Ramsdale, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Jorginho, Xhaka, Viera, Nelson, Martinelli, Jesus
Subs: Turner, Hillson, Tierney, Holding, Kiwior, White, Partey, Smith Rowe, Odegaard, Saka, Trossard.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 16, 2023
🧱 Tomiyasu at the back
©️ Xhaka skippers the side
❤️ Gabby leading the line
Let’s do this - together! pic.twitter.com/oq6MSoLNRO
Sporting team news
The visitors have released their team ahead of their hosts.
Sporting: Adan (c), Esgaio, Inacio, Diomande, St Juste, Reis, Ugarte, Concalves, Trincao, Edwards, Paulinho
Subs: Israel, Sotiris, Santos, Neto, Rochinha, Fatawu, Tanlongo, Arthur, Jovane, Chermiti, Mateaus, Essugo.
Here’s our 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙓𝙄 #SportingCP #ARSSCP pic.twitter.com/6gbHKHJOeR
— Sporting CP English (@SportingCP_en) March 16, 2023
Premable
It’s shaping up to be one of those seasons, isn’t it? The sort of season that you tell your grandkids about. The kind that worms its way in your memory and gets plastered on the walls of pubs where only the faithful wet their whistles before kick-off. If they still sold DVDs the “Gunners’ Super Great 2022-23” [working title] would already be taking pre-orders.
Of course the Premier League is the real big fish and the image of Mikel Arteta lifting the trophy is slowly starting to materialise like a mirage in the distant heat of a desert. But let’s not discount the Europa League. It’s a continental trophy and Arsenal haven’t claimed one of those since 1994 when they clinched the European Cup Winners’ Cup.
They start this second leg of their round of 16 tie with Sporting Lisbon all square at 2-2 after last week’s draw in Portugal.
It ain’t the Champions League, but don’t let that blur your vision. Nothing but a win will suffice tonight.
My name is Daniel, or Dan if you’d prefer. Feel free to get in touch. Should be a goon ‘un.
