Arsenal put up a dominant show to thrash Sporting CP 5-1 at Estadio José Alvalade and bring an end to the Portuguese side’s nine-match unbeaten run at home in the UEFA Champions League. The emphatic win also marked the Gunners’ first away victory in the competition after a five-game drought.
The visitors did not waste any time in taking the lead as Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring in the seventh minute by converting Jurriën Timber’s precise cross. Arsenal then doubled their lead midway through the first half, with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz combining to finish off a slick passing move. The best chance that came from Sporting was by Geovany Quenda, whose powerful strike was parried by David Raya.
However, Arsenal was able to make it 3-0 before halftime as Gabriel Magalhães headed in Declan Rice’s corner. Sporting showed resilience early in the second half as Gonçalo Inácio netted from Francisco Trincão’s corner, marking their 56th consecutive home game with a goal. But Arsenal responded decisively when Martin Ødegaard won a penalty, which Saka calmly converted. Leandro Trossard added a fifth with a close-range header, while Raya made key saves, including a late fingertip effort to deny Viktor Gyökeres.
The Gunners extended their unbeaten record against Sporting to seven games, keeping them on track in Europe.
