2 standout players from disappointing Europa League exit against Sporting CP

Over two legs against Sporting, Arsenal faltered. Whether that is due to team selection, poor form or simply the distraction and importance of the league, the last two Europa League games have been some of Arsenal’s worst this season.

On Thursday, the play from the first whistle looked tentative, toothless and simply sloppy. Poor giveaways, loose touches and shocking defending kept Sporting in the match, with the Portuguese team eventually knocking Arsenal out on penalties.

3 standout players from disappointing Europa League exit against Sporting CP

Several players will be disappointed with their outings. However, some fought hard to keep the club in the tie. Here are three standout players from an otherwise upsetting match against Sporting.

1. Gabriel

Mikel Arteta decided to start his preferred centre-back pairing against Sporting in an effort to close out the fixture. While William Saliba went off injured early in the match, Gabriel more than made up for his partner’s absence.

Gabriel has quietly been Arsenal’s most consistent performer and should be in contention for player of the season. He has transformed what was, not too long ago, the team’s biggest weakness and made it a force to be reckoned with. The defence looks infinitely more solid since he came to London.

With Rob Holding tracking runners into midfield at times and Oleksandr Zinchenko playing in the centre of the park, Gabriel was tasked with covering large amounts of space with little help. The reason Arteta can deploy such attack-minded players is because of the security on and off the ball Gabriel provides. Against Sporting, it was more of the same.

While he had the potential to be exposed with Sporting targeting the space behind Zinchenko, the centre-back was intelligent in his positioning and quick to sense danger. Several key interceptions and blocks kept Sporting at bay.

Further up the field, he was efficient in his passing. He circulated the ball quickly, trying to break the lines when possible. He was also a consistent threat from set pieces. Fans have become accustomed to him being a force in both boxes and having another way to break down teams is crucial. Although he did not come away with a goal, he could have had one or two on another night.

There was nothing he could do about the goal but every other part of his game was excellent on the night.

Continued on the next slide…