Sporting 1-5 Arsenal: Gunners' Player Ratings as Saka and co. smash five past their hosts in statement victory | UEFA Champions League 2024-25
Arsenal secured a thumping 5-1 win against Sporting CP at their Jose Alvalade Stadium in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, November 26. The result sees the Gunners climb to seventh place with 10 points from five games, while Sporting sit in eighth place below them with the same points but inferior goal difference.
Mikel Arteta fielded a full-strength Arsenal lineup for the first time in several weeks as his team made an electric start to the contest. Gabriel Martinelli handed the visitors a dream start as he made it 1-0 in the seventh minute courtest of a Jurrien Timber assist. The Gunners were relentless and barely allowed Sporting any possession of the ball.
Arsenal doubled their lead in the 22nd minute, this time Kai Havertz was on target from an assist by Bukayo Saka. They attempted a total of nine shots in an eventful first half, with five of those on target. Sporting, meanwhile, managed just one shot on target from two attempts. Things went from bad to worse for the hosts as they conceded a third goal on the cusp of half-time.
Declan Rice's corner found Gabriel Magalhaes as the Brazilian nodded the ball into the net to give the Gunners a commanding 3-0 lead at the interval.
Things looked tough for Arsenal as soon as the second half began, though. Goncalo Inacio scored just two minutes of the restart from an assist Francisco Trincao as Sporting were handed a lifeline. This also buoyed the home crowd as they were fully vocal in support. However, this high was short-lived, as Ousmane Diomande fouled Martin Odegaard to concede a penalty.
Saka stepped up to make it 4-1 after 65 minutes as the Gunners continued to hit their hosts with one attack after another. Leandro Trossard then came off the bench and scored a simple header into an open net to make it 5-1 in the 82nd minute. Viktor Gyokeres and other misfired for Sporting as they failed to find any respite from what they faced.
Arsenal secured a resounding 5-1 win on away soil to boost their confidence about qualifying in the top eight. On that note, let's take a look at their player ratings.
Arsenal Player Ratings
David Raya - 8.5/10
Raya made eight fantastic stops for Arsenal between the sticks, but was unlucky to lose out on a clean sheet.
Jurrien Timber - 7.5/10
Timber had a great game on the right side of defence as he played one assist. He also won four duels, making two interceptions and one clearance.
William Saliba - 7/10
Saliba was solid at the back for the Gunners as he won six duels, making two interceptions and four clearances.
Gabriel Magalhaes - 7.5/10
Gabriel scored a lovely header to make it 3-0 to the visitors just before the break. He also won two duels, making three clearances, two interceptions and one block.
Riccardo Calafiori - 6.5/10
Calafiori had a decent game on the left flank for the Gunners and was replaced in the second period.
Martin Odegaard - 8/10
Odegaard's true impact on the team continued to show as he played two key passes and won four duels in midfield. He also won a penalty in the second half.
Thomas Partey - 7/10
Partey looked composed in midfield with a 92% passing accuracy, including one key pass. He also attempted a shot on target and won three duels.
Declan Rice - 7.5/10
Rice picked up an assist for Arsenal's third goal. He also won one duel and attempted one shot that was off-target.
Bukayo Saka - 9/10
Saka once again ended the match as the best player on the pitch for the Gunners. He scored one goal and also provided one assist. The Englishman completed four dribbles and also won eight duels. Saka was named the player of the match for his performance.
Gabriel Martinelli - 7.5/10
Martinelli handed his team a lovely start with an early goal. He also played one key pass and won two duels in a good performance.
Kai Havertz - 7.5/10
Havertz scored his team's second goal in the 22nd minute. He played one key pass and won seven duels as well.
Substitutes
Mikel Merino - 6.5/10
Merino came on in place of Rice and put in a good performance.
Leandro Trossard - 7.5/10
Trossard came off the bench and extended the Gunners' lead to 5-1 with a simple header in the 82nd minute.
Oleksandr Zinchenko - 6.5/10
Zinchenko replaced Calafiori and helped his team defend their massive advantage.
Ethan Nwaneri - 7/10
Nwaneri replaced Odegaard and put in a sharp cameo.
Jakub Kiwior - N/A
He played less than 10 minutes and hence does not warrant a rating.
