Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhâes celebrates goal against Sporting Lisbon with teammates, during UEFA Champions League match, at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Lisbon, Portugal.
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UEFA Champions League: Arsenal Thrashes Sporting 5-1 In Lisbon

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England International Bukayo Saka scored one goal and set up another as Arsenal thrashed Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon 5-1 in their UEFA Champions League clash, at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday, their biggest away win in the competition in 21 years.

Arsenal were finding plenty of joy on the right wing and their first two goals both came from attacks down that side. Jurrien Timber’s low cross eluded everyone and provided a tap-in for Gabriel Martinelli at the back post inside seven minutes.

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli (11) scores goal against Sporting Lisbon.

The Gunners doubled their advantage midway through the first half when Saka burst into the box and poked the ball past Sporting goalkeeper Franco Israel, providing another simple finish for striker Kai Havertz.

Defender Gabriel then met a Declan Rice corner to head his side further in front and few could argue Arsenal were full value for their 3-0 lead.

Arsenal would have hoped for a composed start to the second half but instead allowed Sporting a way back into the game. Francisco Trincao’s corner was met at the front post by Inacio, who volleyed into the back of the net to offer his side a lifeline.

The visitors then earned a penalty when Martin Odegaard was fouled from behind by Ousmane Diomande and Saka coolly slotted the spot kick into the bottom right corner.

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka scores penalty against Sporting Lisbon.

Substitute Trossard added a fifth with a header after Sporting goalkeeper  Israel could only parry Mikel Merino’s long-range shot into his path.

It was Arsenal’s biggest away win in the UEFA Champions League since victory by the same scoreline at Inter Milan in 2003.

Arsenal moved above Sporting to seventh place in the 36-team table with 10 points from five games.

The Portuguese side, who recently lost coach Ruben Amorim to Manchester United, have the same number of points but are one position back on goal difference.

“Sporting haven’t lost here in a very long time (13 months), we knew it would be a big challenge,” Saka said. “But we believed we could go out there and have a good performance and we did that.

“We realised how good they are and that we had to rise to the challenge. I am proud of all the boys, we will be a team that goes from strength to strength and keeps improving.”

Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League results

Source Reuters UEFA Champions League
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