LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Mikel Arteta the manager / head coach of Arsenal with his players after losing to Sporting CP 5-4 on penalties in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
Arsenal 1-1 Sporting CP: 3 talking points as Gunners crash out of Europe
by Adam Schultz
Arsenal were dumped out of the Europa League by Sporting CP on penalties as Mikel Arteta’s side was ravaged by injuries on a poor night in north London.
Arteta named a rotated side that included a first start in forever for Gabriel Jesus, while Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey were all named on the bench.
After a sluggish start, Arsenal took the lead inside 20 minutes as Granit Xhaka opened the scoring. A gorgeous ball from Jorginho found Gabriel Martinelli, who had his shot saved, but Xhaka followed up and slotted home.
The remainder of the half saw both sides create chances, but it was Arsenal who took the lead into the break.
Sporting dominated the second half and levelled matters in an incredible way. From just inside Arsenal’s half, Pedro Goncalves launched an astonishing shot that caught out Aaron Ramsdale, who was off his line, as the visitors restored parity both on the night and in the tie.
Heads up and onto the next. pic.twitter.com/9lDqiRrmfT
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 16, 2023
The visitors dominated the half but couldn’t find a breakthrough as extra time was needed.
Neither side could find a way through as the Gunners dominated both periods, and it was left to penalties to decide who advances.
Sporting were faultless from 12 yards, converting all five, while Martinelli missed and sent Arsenal crashing out of Europe.
Arsenal 1-1 Sporting CP: 3 talking points as Gunners crash out of Europe
The game provided plenty of talking points; here they are.
1. Gabriel Jesus’ comeback continues
The Brazilian started his first game for Arsenal since November on Thursday night. At times he looked like the lively Jesus we came to know early in the season, but there were also signs of rust.
Gabriel Jesus off for Leandro Trossard. Planned substitution from Arteta.
— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) March 16, 2023
He lasted just 45 minutes, but that is a big step on his way back to full fitness as Arteta likely didn’t want to take any risks with his star man.
How good is it to have him back?
Continued on the next slide…
pic.twitter.com/9lDqiRrmfT
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/arsenal-1-1-sporting-3-talking-points/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1636500198321946628?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>The visitors dominated the half but couldn’t find a breakthrough as extra time was needed.</p>
<p>Neither side could find a way through as the Gunners dominated both periods, and it was left to penalties to decide who advances.</p>
<p>Sporting were faultless from 12 yards, converting all five, while Martinelli missed and sent Arsenal crashing out of Europe.</p>
<h2>Arsenal 1-1 Sporting CP: 3 talking points as Gunners crash out of Europe</h2>
<p>The game provided plenty of talking points; here they are.</p>
<h2>1. Gabriel Jesus’ comeback continues</h2>
<p>The Brazilian started his first game for Arsenal since November on Thursday night. At times he looked like the lively Jesus we came to know early in the season, but there were also signs of rust.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Gabriel Jesus off for Leandro Trossard. Planned substitution from Arteta.</p>
<p>— now.arsenal (@now_arsenaI) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/arsenal-1-1-sporting-3-talking-points/"https://twitter.com/now_arsenaI/status/1636473857463795719?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/arsenal-1-1-sporting-3-talking-points/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>He lasted just 45 minutes, but that is a big step on his way back to full fitness as Arteta likely didn’t want to take any risks with his star man.</p>
<p>How good is it to have him back?</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/arsenal-1-1-sporting-3-talking-points/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #2 </a>
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<img decoding="async" class="wp-image-132995 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/arsenal-1-1-sporting-3-talking-points/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1248389675.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1248389675.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1248389675-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Arsenal lost both Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba to injuries in the first half. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>2. Injury bug bites hard</h2>
<p>At this time of the season, the Gunners can ill afford injuries, but unfortunately, both Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba succumbed in the opening 20 minutes.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Arsenal have now already lost Takehiro Tomiyasu & William Saliba in the opening 20 minutes due to injury tonight. <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/arsenal-1-1-sporting-3-talking-points/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/afc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#afc</a> <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/arsenal-1-1-sporting-3-talking-points/"https://t.co/7GGCDBINeH">pic.twitter.com/7GGCDBINeH
<p>— afcstuff (@afcstuff) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/arsenal-1-1-sporting-3-talking-points/"https://twitter.com/afcstuff/status/1636463182704156680?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<p>Just how bad those injuries are could prove decisive in the title run. Tomiyasu appeared to hurt his knee after sliding on the turf, while Saliba seemed to point to a back injury as he walked off.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/arsenal-1-1-sporting-3-talking-points/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Talking Point #3 </a>
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<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-133008 size-full" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/arsenal-1-1-sporting-3-talking-points/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2134,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1248400100.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2134" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1248400100.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1248400100-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:3200px;">Arsenal can now focus fully on their Premier League title charge. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)</p>
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<h2>3. Europa loss a win?</h2>
<p>While the Gunners would ideally have loved to progress into the next round of the Europa League, being dumped out at a relatively early stage might not be the worst thing in the world.</p>
<p>Given that Arsenal has “bigger fish to fry” in terms of the Premier League title, having games midweek as they try to hold off Manchester City isn’t exactly ideal.</p>
<div class="embed ">
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<p>Now, with no Europe, the Gunners can fully focus on the league and that elusive title.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">
