Arsenal vs Sporting CP highlights
Sporting CP defeated Arsenal in a penalty shootout after a 1:1 draw at the Emirates on Thursday in the Europa League's second round. Pedro Goncalves of Sporting Lisbon rubbed salt in Arsenal's wounds after appearing to insult Granit Xhaka in the aftermath of the Gunners' Europa League loss.
Arsenal got off to a good start after Xhaka put them ahead. He dutifully celebrated by putting his palm to his nose and wriggling his fingers in what looked to be a message to his daughter, according to his Swiss wife's Instagram post.
Physical pain may be more intense than mental agony. Even though Sporting's challenges were typically reasonably fought until Manuel Ugarte was issued a second yellow card late in the game for clattering Bukayo Saka, Arsenal absorbed several heavy punches here.
They suffered injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu and, more precariously, William Saliba within the first 21 minutes, while Gabriel and Aaron Ramsdale were amongst others who required treatment during the game.
Arsenal were unimpressive at the back in Saliba's absence, and it didn't help that the defence was exposed by a careless midfield. Sporting had displayed flashes of danger in the first half and started the second period brightly when they penalised Granit Xhaka and Jorginho for overplaying at halfway, but no one could have guessed the outcome of their carelessness.
After the first leg ended 2-2 in Portugal, the Gunners took the lead at the Emirates after 19 minutes via captain Granit Xhaka.