Arsenal 1-1 Sporting de Lisbon (3-5 on Penalties): Arsenal crash out of Europe after Sporting upset

(Photo by Huy Phan: https://www.pexels.com/photo/red-grandstand-at-arsenal-emirates-stadium-17160678/)

Some things are destiny, but Arsenal and the Europa League were never meant to be. After being eliminated from the Champions League back in 2017, the Gunners have only competed in the Europa League since. Every time has resulted in failure for Arsenal with Sporting CP the latest team to put them to the sword through five perfect penalties for the Portuguese and a Gabriel Martinelli miss.

After the entertaining encounter last week in Portugal proceeding in a 2-2 draw, it was down to a late-night kick-off in North London to decide who goes through. Before the match, domestic league leaders Arsenal would have been a favourable bet, especially at home, but Sporting made sure to make it difficult for Arteta’s men. So, if you didn’t cash out in time, you were probably a bit more frustrated.

A nervy and cagey first 20 minutes built up the pressure for Arsenal. A distinct difference to how matches earlier in the season played out in which they started games at an extremely fast pace, suffocating opponents. Eventually, that pressure came to fruition; A slick through ball by Jorginho down the left flank put Martinelli through on goal, his shot saved but Granit Xhaka was there to sweep it in, putting Arsenal ahead. A sigh of relief could be heard around the Emirates Stadium, as it felt like they were finally going to push on and put the game to bed. Of course, that’s not how it panned out.

There weren't chances galore going into the second-half but Sporting made sure to hold a threat on transitions. No one expected Pedro Goncalves to strike from the halfway line though. Aaron Ramsdale was caught off his line, and Goncalves hit an audacious chip that stunned the crowd and even the Arsenal players themselves.

Ramsdale was left looking embarrassed, but he soon made up for his humiliation, after a huge save to deny the former Spurs man Marcus Edwards. Arsenal also had their fair share of chances: a Leandro Trossard one-on-one opportunity stumbled the inside of the post, and foreshadowed the evening for the home side: Frustration.

After the 90 minutes were up, the groans from the crowd could be heard, with the players set for a 120-minute encounter with Crystal Palace on everyone’s mind. Arsenal’s man between the posts had a busy evening as Sporting ended the game after extra time with more shots than the hosts with a total of 15 to Arsenal’s 13. Penalties were going well for both teams until Martinelli came up and Adan had an easy save to make. Sporting CP scored all five penalties sending their fans in the corner into hysterics in a momentous victory for the Portuguese side.

Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, Olympiacos, Villarreal and now Sporting. The Europa League heartbreak for Arsenal fans continues but the Premier League title race is on the radar again. A victory against Crystal Palace would put The Gunners eight points ahead. An evening of despair could soon turn to weekend delight if things go their way but anything else, and the doubts will start to creep in once again.