Sporting Lisbon star Pedro Goncalves rubbed salt into Arsenal wounds after appearing to mock Granit Xhaka in the aftermath of the Gunners’ Europa League exit.
The North London side were booted out of Europe at the last-16 stage on Thursday evening following a penalty shootout defeat. Nuno Santos was the eventual game-winner for the Portuguese side at the Emirates Stadium but it was arguably Goncalves who put his name up in lights.
It had all started so well for Arsenal after Xhaka had given Arsenal the lead. He duly celebrated by putting his hand up to his nose and wiggling his fingers in what appeared to be a message to his daughter - if the Swiss’ wife’s Instagram post was anything to go by.
Former Wolves man Goncalves then equalised with a stunning goal. After being afforded too much room in the heart of midfield, he lobbed Gunners goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale from near the halfway line.
The Portuguese celebrated wildly following his stunning goal but it wasn’t until Sporting had beaten their hosts on penalties that he allowed himself to get slightly carried away. He went over to the away fans huddled in the corner and copied Xhaka’s celebration.
During the game itself, former Arsenal star Kevin Campbell was left purring over Goncalves’ goal. Speaking on Sky Sports, he said: “What an incredible strike by Goncalves. He’s spotted Ramsdale off his line.
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“Arsenal have been very wasteful in the middle of the pitch. All second half, they’ve been giving the ball away.
“They’ve given the ball away but there seems to be no danger. What does Goncalves do? He pings the ball over Ramsdale from near the halfway line. It’s an incredible strike and now Arsenal have got it all to do. 1-1 and it’s going to be a hell of fight now
“It looked as though Arsenal were in no trouble and for somebody to produce a moment of quality like that, it’s incredible.”
Whilst Campbell praised the strike, Gunners’ boss Mikel Arteta was left furious with his players following his side’s elimination. Speaking after the full-time whistle, he said: [It's a] huge blow, obviously. There were moments especially in the first 75 minutes where we weren't at our level. We gave every single ball away.
"We didn't have the capacity to dominate the game and take the game where we wanted. It's true in the last 15 minutes, we had the chances and in extra-time, we had the chances to win it. When it goes down to the penalties, it's a lot of uncertainty and we lost it."
Arsenal are now forced to now focus on their fight to end their long wait for a domestic league crown, whilst Sporting go into Friday’s draw where they could be matched with another Premier League side in Manchester United.
