Arsenal vs Sporting CP: 3 players who impressed in Portugal

Arsenal have extended their winning run to 11 games. Though the performance was by no means pretty, some players still played well. Here are 3 of them.

It was an extremely anti-Arsenal performance in the Estadio Jose Alvalade, but it got the job done. The Gunners have grown accustomed to being able to dink the ball around defenders without much challenge as of recently, but the aggression from Sporting’s defenders did not make life easy for this potent attack.

Winning 1-0 away from home to a team that has not lost a game in their stadium for the past two years is nothing to be ashamed of, no matter how “ugly” the performance was. Despite many players having average or even poor games on the night, there was a few players in particular that were essential in taking the 3 points back to London.

3. Danny Welbeck

Perhaps the most obvious addition to the list of players who impressed is that of the goal scorer, Danny Welbeck. The hard-working Englishman scored the game winning goal after a lovely back-heel flick from Pierre Emerick Aubameyeng fell right into his path and he smashed it into the net.

Welbeck’s contract is coming closer and closer to an end as months pass by and him putting solid performances in, such as the one tonight, will certainly help his contract negotiations move  significantly quicker.

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2. Sokratis

Sokratis Papastathopoulos has been a revelation since signing for the club and has been by far our best defender this season. The Greek international probably should have been sent off in the first half for throwing one of Sporting’s attackers to the ground when they were about to be in on goal, but that’s what makes us fans love Sokratis as much as we do.

He kept the back line solid and was dominant on set pieces, constantly heading the ball away from danger. The Greek hard man has been needed for some time now at the Emirates and now that we finally have a player with his aggression our defense seems to be improving.

1. Lucas Torreira

Despite the fact that Lucas Torreria was not brought onto the field until the 58th minute for Mohammed El Neny, the Uruguayan helped better protect the back line and bring more stability to the team than his Egyptian counterpart.

Torreira has established himself as one of the most important players for the team and his consistency will be key to the reds of London continuing the red-hot form they are currently in.

Aside from the three players mentioned the likes of Matteo Guendouzi and Bernd Leno also had solid games as well. Unfortunately a few players were not up to the task tonight such as, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Stephan Lichtsteiner and even Pierre Emerick Aubameyeng despite the fact that he got an assist.

However, with the few negatives that came with the match also comes a vital 3 points in the quest for a spot in next season Champions League.