Arsenal have gained a key benefit from their Europa League elimination at the hands of Sporting CP last night. The game was a slog for the Gunners, who lost Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba to injury in the first half which had a significant impact on their flow and the ability to affect the game from the bench.
Mikel Arteta had limited options but looked to be progressing after Granit Xhaka had given Arsenal the lead. Yet an out-of-this-world strike from Pedro Goncalves ultimately proved enough to take the game to the dreaded spot kicks and after Gabriel Martinelli missed, the Gunners watched on helplessly as Sporting CP sent them packing.
Martin Odegaard was one of the changes made in extra time, replacing Fabio Vieira. The club captain came on to rapturous applause and his energy lifted the crowd as he tried to encourage greater noise and response from the home support.
