Arsenal 1-1 Sporting (4-5 pens): Gabriel Martinelli misses in shootout as Gunners knocked out of Europa League

The last-16 tie was firmly within the stability after the primary leg in Lisbon completed 2-2, and it was nonetheless degree 90 minutes later. Granit Xhaka put the Gunners in entrance on the night time and within the tie with a first-half strike, however Pedro Goncalves responded with a shocking strike from simply contained in the Arsenal half.

It went all the best way to penalties, with seven spot-kicks discovering the again of the web within the shootout. Gabriel Martinelli then stepped up, had his effort saved and Nuno Santos saved his nerve to ship Sporting into the quarter-finals.

Mikel Arteta named a robust, if considerably rotated, facet in north London, with Gabriel Jesus making his first begin for the reason that World Cup however Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard dropping to the bench.

It was a comparatively sluggish begin from the Gunners, however they grew into the match and moved forward on the night time and within the tie. Jorginho performed a superb move by to Gabriel Martinelli, his effort was parried again out by Antonio Adan and Xhaka was there to fireside house the rebound.

Gabriel Jesus had a shot saved as Arsenal pushed for the second, however Sporting carried a risk on the break. Marcus Edwards’ strike was blocked by Oleksandr Zinchenko, whereas Francisco Trincao additionally went shut.

The guests have been a lot the higher facet after the break they usually bought their reward in spectacular trend. Simply contained in the Arsenal half, Goncalves appeared up, noticed Ramsdale off his line and launched a shocking, floated effort that dropped over the goalkeeper and below the bar.

Arteta turned to Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka to try to get the job finished in regular time, however Arsenal continued to battle for fluency and had Ramsdale to thank for making certain it remained degree, as he produced a save together with his face when Edwards was performed clear by.

The largest likelihood in extra-time fell to Leandro Trossard, as a unfastened move from Youssef Chermiti changed into an ideal by ball for the Belgian. Adan bought a sufficiently big contact on the shot although, turning it onto the publish as Sporting survived.

The guests more and more resorted to kicking something and every little thing as they tried to hold on, with Ugarte proven a second yellow card for a wild problem on Saka. Sporting held agency although to take it to penalties.

Ramsdale bought no less than a hand on a few the spot-kicks he confronted however couldn’t produce sufficient of a contact to maintain one out, and Martinelli’s missed penalty proved to be Arsenal’s ultimate contact in Europe this season as Santos delivered for Sporting.