LISBON: Mikel Arteta said Arsenal made a statement of Champions League intent with a 5-1 demolition of Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday.
Arteta demanded a dynamic display from his side ahead of their trip to the Jose Alwald Stadium and they responded in style. Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havartz, Gabriel Magalhize, Bocayo Saka and Leandro Troussard lifted the Gunners to seventh in the new Champions League, chasing a place in the last 16.
It was Arsenal’s biggest win in the Champions League since Arsene Wenger’s men beat Inter Milan by the same scoreline in 2003. “I am very happy. This is a big result against a big rival. We wanted to make that statement,” Arteta said.
“I felt really good energy and confidence before the match. The first half was phenomenal, you have to execute it. “We were really smart, really intelligent and really efficient. “After we conceded, we showed a lot of personality to bring the game back. Then we scored the fourth goal and that’s when the game changed again.
Sporting ended an 18-game unbeaten start to the season in all competitions, just weeks after the Portuguese champions crushed Manchester City 4-1 in Lisbon, giving notice that Arsenal are back on track after a damaging slump. has gone The Gunners are nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, but last weekend’s 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest was the first sign of a revival that gathered momentum against Sporting.
While Arsenal will still need a lot of improvement to win their first English title since 2004, Arteta can take heart from a dynamic display that marks his best away day in Europe since he took charge five years ago. It was stated.
“Obviously, especially against opposition we played at home, who haven’t lost a game in 18 months, so I’m very pleased with the level, goal and fluidity we showed today.” Arteta said.
“The team played very bravely, because they are very good. When I watch them live, they are very good. “Many times the performance is like that. There have been times when we have played big teams. That’s the level we’ve got to be able to compete at and you’ve got to do it, and that builds belief.”
Urging Arsenal to emulate the passion and intensity they showed against Sporting as they look to win the Champions League for the first time, Arteta added: “When you play against this team in this competition You have to enjoy it.” What I loved about this team is the way they flow. He played with purpose. If you want to be challenging for big trophies, you have to be consistent.”
Martin Odegaard didn’t get on the scoresheet but the Gunners captain — back to his best after a long injury absence — was a key figure with his clever passing, quick pressing and clever movement.
Saka admitted Odegaard was sorely missed after the midfielder suffered an ankle injury during international duty with Norway in September. “He’s an unbelievable player. The day he came back, I had a big smile on my face,” Saka said.
“You can see the chemistry between us. I hope he’ll be fit for the rest of the season.” I put in. “This is where we belong. We’ve shown the level we can play at,” Sacca said. “Everybody was on top, I’m really proud of all the guys.”