3 positives and negatives from Arsenal's brilliant Champions League win in Lisbon

It manifested three weeks late but that San Siro spirit is alive and kicking.

And Arsenal channelled its full verve on Tuesday night, thumping Sporting CP 5-1 to keep their hopes of a top-eight Champions League finish well intact.

The Gunners wasted no time in Portugal and took the lead on seven minutes, with Gabriel Martinelli being on hand to convert from close range. Goals #2 and #3 would come before half-time as Arsenal looked to wrap the match up early and capitalise on their dominance.

Sporting pulled one back and thus shook the visitors’ nerve, yet it counted for nought and a Bukayo Saka penalty after the hour mark killed any prospects of a home comeback. Then, Leandro Trossard applied the 5-1 icing with a header eight minutes from time.    

Sporting CP 1-5 Arsenal: 3 positives and negatives from a huge Gunners victory in the Champions League

A terrific win, top performance and three vital points, and here are three positives and negatives to reflect on from the Lisbon trip.

Positive #1: Arsenal are back

Those losses at Newcastle and Bournemouth seem a long time ago now.

Road trips brought out the best in Arsenal in 2024 but, in recent weeks, they have been the site of much hurt and threatened to derail our campaign – that bad run was put right (and then some) at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Three points was nothing more than the Gunners had earned following a top-class display. From the first minute, they pressed Sporting with intent and never gave them the space or opportunities to hit back in transition.

That quality also shone through in possession, where the passing was often crisp and accurate, the movement always probing and a high line consistently maintained, allowing us to apply sustained pressure on the Sporting defence.    

Arsenal are (seemingly) back after a tough few weeks and it is a joy to watch.

Negative #1: Letting Sporting back in

The first rule for defending a half-time lead (especially away from home): keep things tight and do not let the home team build momentum.

But Arsenal failed within two minutes of the restart, losing track of Goncalo Inácio at a corner to give Sporting an immediate boost.

Although his strike formed an isolated blemish, it is somewhat disconcerting that the Gunners could not hold on to their three-goal advantage longer and that they so quickly fell victim to the inevitable Sporting response, even if it mattered little in the end.

At least the reaction post-Inácio was strong and the consolation goal might serve to keep us in check moving forward.  

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