Pain in the Arsenal
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2 standout players from disappointing Europa League exit against Sporting CP

By Krish Ajmani

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal on the ball during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Gabriel Jesus of Arsenal on the ball during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Nigel French/Getty Images) /
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2. Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey helped Arsenal establish control in extra time. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Thomas Partey helped Arsenal establish control in extra time. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) /

Arteta called on Partey to make an impact when the midfield was overrun. He certainly did so. The Ghanaian immediately strengthened the spine of the team and was influential in a way few players in the world are.

He used his physicality to great effect, cutting out dangerous counterattacks. He was also efficient on the ball. Partey’s willingness to pick his head up and pass forward allows Arsenal to attack quickly.

While Jorginho and Granit Xhaka did their best to fill in for the former Atletico Madrid man (to various degrees of success), their weaknesses were on display. What stands out with Partey is his seeming lack of it. There are no holes in his game. His fitness will be crucial in the run-in.

Arsenal could not pass the test posed by Sporting. Credit to the visitors, the Portuguese team came and played fearlessly. It was also clear that the players are focused on the league. After crashing out of Europe, they must turn their attention to Crystal Palace and bounce back quickly. Yet as we have seen with this Arsenal team time and again, they have the ability and willingness to do so.

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