3 positives & negatives as Sporting CP dump Arsenal out of Europa League

Positive #2: The atmosphere

Another positive from the match was the atmosphere inside the Emirates. Throughout the game, the fans were fantastic and they did everything they could to help the team get over the line. It is a testament to Arteta and the team that the relationship between them and the fans has not just been restored but improved exponentially.

The once somewhat toxic relationship is now a strength for the club, and that was demonstrated after the match. Despite watching their team ultimately lose in devasting fashion via a penalty shootout, chants of “Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal…” could be heard ringing around the stadium.

We lost the game due to a lack of guile, not because of work ethic, and the fans were keen to applaud the side for their effort. Maintaining that atmosphere is going to be key if we are to sustain our title push.

Negative #2: Injury concerns

Both Takehiro Tomiyasu, and more worryingly, William Saliba were forced off the pitch early in the first half. Saliba has been at the forefront of our success this season, having formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at the back, and if his injury is serious, it will be a massive blow.

Speaking after the game, Arteta gave his thoughts on both injuries:

"“Tomiyasu looks pretty serious, for his reaction straight away and what he said to me. Obviously, it’s very early and difficult to know. William, I don’t know. He had some discomfort and could not carry on, so we had to take him off.”"

The effect of an injury to Tomiyasu, particularly a serious one, should not be underestimated. It not only considerably weakens our bench moving forward, but also will result in Benjamin White being forced to play the vast majority of minutes at right-back for the remainder of the campaign.

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