Mikel Arteta beams over 'exceptional' Arsenal after battering Sporting

Mikel Arteta has lauded Arsenal’s phenomenal 5-1 trouncing of Sporting Lisbon as their finest European away display since he took the managerial reins.

The Gunners roared back into Champions League contention after overpowering the Portuguese outfit, shaking off their previous slip against Inter Milan.

Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard propelled Arsenal to a commanding victory, securing them 10 points and seventh place in the revamped 36-team league table.

It their most emphatic Champions League away triumph since they mirrored this result against Inter in 2003.

“For sure, especially against opposition we played at their home who have not lost a game in 18 months – they have been in top form here – so to play with the level, the determination, the purpose and the fluidity we showed today, I am very pleased,” Arteta said.

“The team played with so much courage, because they are so good. When I’m watching them live they are so good! They were all exceptional today. It was a big performance, a big win and we are really happy.

“The performance was there a few times when we have played big teams. That’s the level that we have to be able to cope and you have to make it happen, and that creates belief.”

This significant win also shattered Sporting’s hitherto perfect season, terminating a run of 17 victories and a solitary draw – a remarkable sequence which had attracted Manchester United to poach their head coach Ruben Amorim.

The Gunners took an early lead, with Martinelli finding the back of the net just seven minutes in from Jurrien Timber’s cross. The advantage was then doubled when Saka set up Havertz for a simple finish.

Arsenal added a third on the brink of half-time, as Gabriel headed in Declan Rice’s corner. To add insult to injury, the Brazilian defender mimicked Viktor Gyokeres’ goal celebration.

Sporting came out fighting after the break, pulling one back after David Raya tipped Hidemasa Morita’s shot behind, allowing Goncalo Inacio to score from the resulting corner.

However, when Martin Odegaard was fouled by Ousmane Diomande in the box, Saka confidently converted the penalty.

Substitute Trossard made it five for Arsenal with eight minutes left, heading in the rebound after Mikel Merino’s shot was saved. A frustrating night for Sporting’s top scorer Gyokeres was epitomised when his late effort hit the post.