Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz was spotted consoling Arsenal star Gabriel Martinelli after Sporting CP knocked the Gunners out of the Europa League on penalties. The north Londoners failed to book their place in the last-eight of the competition following a 3-3 draw on aggregate as Martinelli missed a crucial spot kick in the shootout.
Mikel Arteta's misery was compounded by injuries to both Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba during the first half of the match. Tomiyasu was seen leaving the Emirates Stadium on crutches after being withdrawn from the action inside the opening 10 minutes.
Saliba was set to be assessed by Arsenal over the weekend ahead of their Premier League clash against Crystal Palace, football.london understands. The French defender looks set to miss the game against Palace after reports in France suggested he had failed a fitness test, with his injury being considered 'much worse than first feared'.
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Martinelli stepped up to take a penalty but his effort was saved by Sporting goalkeeper Adan after the Spaniard made a number of vital saves during extra-time to keep the Portuguese outfit in the tie.
Referee Lahoz was spotted consoling the Brazilian, giving him a hug after Sporting had sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the competition.
Arsenal now only have the Premier League to focus on as they continue their title race against Manchester City this weekend. Martinelli will hope he can redeem himself by continuing his brilliant goalscoring form and fire the Gunners to their first Premier League title in nearly 20 years.
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