An all physical Sporting Lisbon of Portugal has sent Premier League table leader, Arsenal out of the Europa League on penalties after a keenly-fought 1-1 draw in the round of 16.
Having drawn the first leg 2-2 in Portugal, Mikel Arteta opted for a strong starting XI on home soil which included Aaron Ramsdale, William Saliba and Gabriel Jesus, the latter of whom made his first Gunners start in four months.
Frenchman Saliba went off injured shortly after Arsenal took the lead through Granit Xhaka’s cool finish on the 19 minutes mark.
Takehiro Tomiyasu had already gone out in the ninth minute due to an injury, leaving Arteta light in his defense department and making it more of a difficult night than the Gunners planned for.
The same could absolutely be said for Pedro Goncalves’ sensational goal from just beyond the halfway line to draw Sporting level and ultimately take the game to extra-time before the dreaded penalties.
Gabriel Martinelli crucially missed his spot kick in a tense shootout, as the Portuguese giants went through to the quarter-final stage.
These latest injuries are coming a little over 24 hours after Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag claimed that Arsenal “almost” always have a fully-fit squad.
Rob Holding was called on from the bench to thoroughly rip up Arteta’s back line, as star defender William Saliba hobbled off amid the jubilation of the Gunners’ much-needed opening goal.
