Pain in the Arsenal
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3 standout players from Europa League draw in Portugal

By Krish Ajmani

LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 09: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal FC celebrates scoring Arsenal FC second goal with his team mates during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg one match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 9, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - MARCH 09: Granit Xhaka of Arsenal FC celebrates scoring Arsenal FC second goal with his team mates during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg one match between Sporting CP and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on March 9, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal’s Thursday night draw against Sporting in the Europa League saw a heavily rotated lineup take the field. Backup players came in for vital minutes in a vital game. The likes of Matt Turner and Jakub Kiwior played their first significant minutes in months and this rust was certainly felt throughout the 90 minutes.

Uncharacteristic sloppiness pervaded the pitch, especially for those in red and white. Unnecessary giveaways, poor touches and shocking defending allowed Sporting to run through their opponents all too easily. Fans and players alike will be relieved that the score is level. Part of this is due to several members of the team who kept Arsenal in the tie.

3 standout players from Europa League draw in Portugal

Here are three standout players from the Europa League draw in Portugal.

1. Gabriel Martinelli

Gabriel Martinelli came ever so close to replicating his memorable solo goal against Chelsea. (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Gabriel Martinelli came ever so close to replicating his memorable solo goal against Chelsea. (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

With Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Jesus and now Leandro Trossard out injured, Gabriel Martinelli was deployed up top. Despite not scoring on the night, he worried the Sporting defence time and time again with several key traits that fans have become accustomed to seeing.

The first attribute that stands out is his pace. Just the threat of him running in behind pushed the Sporting line back. His ability to harness his pace on counter-attacks also proved useful in creating chances throughout the match.

His pace is made even more effective by his second trait: his technical ability. As with most Brazilians, Martinelli boasts incredible close control and dribbling. When played into the channels, even if he cannot get a shot off, he can at least keep the ball and wait for support to arrive. It is this same close control that allows him to drop into midfield, receive the ball and turn and attack without losing possession in a vulnerable position.

His intelligence also sets him up in a position to thrive. Combined with his all-around game, he can float out wide or make runs off the shoulder of the last defender. His finishing was sub-par on the night but given more game time in that position, he can become an incredibly efficient and dangerous striker.

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