Arsenal backed up their dominant win at the weekend with an even more impressive 5-1 victory over Portuguese champions Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.
[ MORE: UEFA Champions League table, leading scorers ]
The result sends Arsenal (5th place - 10 points) into the top-8 for the time being, as they chase one of those coveted places to earn themselves a free pass into the (real) round of 16 when the knockout rounds begin in 2025. After losing 1-0 to Inter Milan last time out, Arsenal needed a bounce-back result and they certainly delivered.
Five goals from five different players — Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard — was more than enough, but perhaps completely necessary for a side still coming back to full fitness and sharpness after stumbling in recent weeks.
Player ratings - Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal
What’s next?
- West Ham vs Arsenal — Saturday (12:30 pm ET)
- Arsenal vs Monaco — Dec. 11 (next UCL fixture)
Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal live updates - by Andy Edwards
Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal final score: 1-5
Goalscorers: Gabriel Martinelli (7'), Kai Havertz (22'), Gabriel Magalhaes (45'+1), Goncalo Inacio (47'), Bukayo Saka (65' - PK), Leandro Trossard (82')
GOAL! Sporting Lisbon 1-5 Arsenal: Leandro Trossard cleans up Mikel Merino’s rebound (82')
GOAL! Sporting Lisbon 1-4: Bukayo Saka restores the three-goal lead from the penalty spot (65')
GOAL! Sporting Lisbon 1-3 Arsenal: Goncalo Inacio applies a fine finish to Trincao’s corner kick (47')
GOAL! Sporting Lisbon 0-3 Arsenal: Gabriel’s towering header makes it 3-0 before halftime (45'+1)
GOAL! Sporting Lisbon 0-2 Arsenal: Bukayo Saka finds Kai Havertz with a clever pass in the six (22')
The nutmeg assist from Bukayo Saka was COLD 🥶 pic.twitter.com/0exJSacKOt
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 26, 2024
GOAL! Sporting Lisbon 0-1 Arsenal: Garbiel Martinelli slides in touch home Jurrien Timber’s cross (7')
Arsenal are off to a quick start as Gabriel Martinelli slots home ⚡ pic.twitter.com/gmvJAT4C2k
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) November 26, 2024
Arsenal starting lineup
Raya - Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori - Partey, Rice, Odegaard - Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Sporting Lisbon starting lineup
Israel - St. Juste, Inacio, Diomande - Quenda, Hjulmand, Morita, Araujo - Trincao, Edwards, Gyokeres
How to watch Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 3pm ET Tuesday (November 26)
Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade — Lisbon
How to watch: Stream on Paramount+ and TUDN USA
Sporting Lisbon team news, focus
Nuno Santos and Pedro Goncalves are both out long-term but Sporting have a really settled lineup and system. Yes, new head coach Joao Pereira has a tough act to follow in replacing Amorim but he has inherited a wonderfully talented squad. Sporting will keep their usual 3-4-3 system with Gyokeres as the talisman. They will look to break quickly and play direct passes centrally and one of their three center backs usually strides into midfield to create overloads. Trincao is a real talent in support of Gyokeres, while Hjulmand is a rock in central midfield. There is a lovely balance about this Sporting side.
Arsenal team news, focus
Injuries have really cleared up quickly for Arsenal and the duo of Declan Rice and Kai Havertz were rested against Nottingham Forest at the weekend after their recent issues. Having Odegaard back is huge, while Calafiori at left back and Timber at right back (Ben White is out for the next few months after knee surgery) gives Arsenal a nice balance defensively. Arteta will be keen to rotate his squad as much as he can over the next few weeks as an incredibly busy period arrives.
OUT: Kieran Tierney (thigh), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), Ben White (knee)
Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal prediction
This feels like it will be an open, entertaining game and Sporting will look to hit Arsenal on the counter. But this Arsenal side are solid and should fare better than Man City did in Lisbon. Away win. Sporting Lisbon 1-3 Arsenal.
