Saka and Arsenal overwhelm Sporting and dispel doubts on European tour | Champions League

This was in response to accusations that he was shy. Arsenal’s lack of prowess when traveling abroad was the subject of much chatter before the game, but it turned out they had saved a lot for the continent’s strong side.

Sporting had no answer to a masterful first-half performance, which was accurately reflected in goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhães, all of whom exposed a very fragile back line. Gonçalo Inácio gave the hosts hope at the start of the more competitive second period, but they had too much to do. Arsenal got back up to speed when it mattered most and Bukayo Saka’s penalty and a Leandro Trossard header gave their ambitions of a quick advance to the knockout stages a significant boost.

After picking up a few points with their emphatic win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Arsenal arrived in Lisbon with another record to clean up. Their away record in Europe has been shoddy for almost two years and Arteta admitted beforehand that something had to change, whether through luck or judgment. They had failed to score in their last four trips and, starting with a 2-2 draw at this venue in March 2023, had won just one of their previous eight games.

So here was their chance to make a statement that might seem particularly telling given that Sporting had obliterated Manchester City here three weeks earlier. This night was the most piquant farewell for Ruben Amorim; Now his successor, former reserves coach Tiago Teixeira, has been tasked with maintaining that rapid momentum.

Within seven minutes the ball was pierced and after the game started with some speed, Arsenal announced the arrival of the opening goal. Jurriën Timber was the creator, he slotted in on Declan Rice’s right before curling a great low ball into the six-yard box. The cross was indefensible and although it managed to evade Havertz, the recalled Martinelli was there to strike.

Martin Ødegaard waved his team-mates forward as Sporting got things going again, apparently keen for them to maintain the mix of urgency and assertiveness. After all, the home team had reacted ruthlessly to the deficit against City. There was excitement here, former Tottenham striker Marcus Edwards was on target in his first Champions League appearance of the season, but it wouldn’t be long before Ødegaard’s wish came true.

This time it was Saka who found space at the back, aided by a sharp pass from Thomas Partey who slotted him past Maximiliano Araújo. Goalkeeper Franco Israel advanced but Saka showed presence of mind by pushing the ball over him with the outside of his left foot, giving Havertz the easiest of finishes near the line.

A noisy venue, quite lively to begin with, had been virtually silenced. As the half-hour passed, the only fireworks in David Raya’s penalty area were the ones the home team had set off over it shortly after Havertz’s goal.

When the vaunted Viktor Gyökeres tried to run past Gabriel, the defender kept pace and the ball eventually went out. After a break from the purring Ødegaard, Saka again exploited Sporting’s clear weakness on the right with a move inside and a shot that Israel parried away.

Rice then shot wildly after another attempt was blocked by Saka. Arsenal were dominant in all areas and made the game safe just moments after a rare moment of sporting cohesion that saw Raya slip away from Geovany Quenda.

There was no time for another Sporting restart after Gabriel rose in characteristic fashion to meet a high, deep left corner from Rice and place it beyond Israel. Arsenal had produced a near-perfect half of European football.

The last thing they needed to do was add unnecessary drama to the rest. So the picture changed when, after a corner that Raya missed with a shot from Hidemasa Morita on goal, Inácio evaded Riccardo Calafiori and turned a controlled volley into the near post. Only two minutes of the second half had passed and now the crowd was awake again, remembering how City had been blown away at that stage.

Gyökeres’ eyes lit up as he was presented with a free kick well inside the ‘D’, but he fired his shot into orbit. Raya then had to stop a cross from Edwards sneaking in and moments later saw the same player shoot over the goal at the end of a flowing move. Sporting attacked in spurts, neither team having the slightest resemblance to the first half, but out of nowhere Arsenal were given the opportunity to restore order.

There was no doubt about the penalty being awarded. Ødegaard passed through Inácio far too easily and was caught from behind by Ousmane Diomande looking for Saka. The decision for Szymon Marciniak, the referee, was easy and Saka did the rest. Then, after Israel parried fellow substitute Mikel Merino’s shot, Trossard responded to add even more sparkle.