Arsenal player ratings: Martin Odegaard runs the show but poor defending from Riccardo Calafiori blows clean sheet
ARSENAL put in a sublime away performance to beat Sporting 5-1.
The Gunners dominated the first 45 minutes and were excellent as the Portuguese powerhouses failed to lay a glove on them.
Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel were amongst the goals in a brilliant first-half from Mikel Arteta’s side.
But Sporting upped it after the break and got a goal back – only for Arsenal to show their class and manage the game well as Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard put the tie to bed.
Here is how SunSport rated the Arsenal players’ performances.
David Raya – 6
Did not have much to do besides a save from Morten Hjulmund.
Good distribution and catches from crosses.
Jurrien Timber – 8
A great low cross into the box for Arsenal’s opener. Very solid at right-back all game.
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William Saliba – 7
Dealt with Viktor Gyokeres well. Did not get drawn into fouling him and held his ground before timing the tackle well.
Gabriel – 8
Scored his trademark back-post crashing goal from a corner. A great leap and powerful header once again.
Defended Gyokeres by being physical and on the front foot against him.
But the tactic led to giving away a cheap free-kick in a dangerous area that went unpunished.
Riccardo Calafiori – 5
Sporting attacked a lot down Arsenal’s left in the first-half and Francisco Trincao caused him a few issues.
Lost his man and ended up on the deck as Goncalo Inacio headed in from a corner.
Thomas Partey – 8
A sensational ball over the top of the Sporting defence to put Saka through on goal for the second.
Was a real calming influence in possession.
Declan Rice – 6
His first game back from injury. Was perhaps the reason why his display was not as good as usual and was taken off early.
Fantastic delivery for the corner.
Martin Odegaard – 9
Pulls the strings for the Gunners and has the ability to pick passes that carve open defences from the edge of the box, particularly combining well with Saka.
Such a huge difference between performances with and without him in the team. Absolutely incredible.
Bukayo Saka – 8
Simply brilliant. A constant threat down the right as always, twisting and turning defenders inside out.
His penalty was exceptional and came at a time when Arsenal were a little up against it. Whipped into the inside side netting.
Kai Havertz – 8
Was in the right place at the right time for the goal. Intelligent runs and movement from him as he often dropped deep to receive the ball.
Gabriel Martinelli – 7
Was incredibly lively in the opening period, working hard defensively and causing Sporting a problem with his directness.
Good movement for the goal, going on the blind side of defender Geovany Quenda.
But Martinelli faded and did very little after a positive start.
Subs:
Leandro Trossard (for Martinelli, 70 mins) – 7
Scored the fifth goal. Another in the right place as the ball dropped.
Mikel Merino (for Rice, 70 minutes) – 7
Assured cameo in midfield.
Oleksandr Zinchenko (for Calafiori, 78 minutes) – 6
Calm on the ball after coming on.
Ethan Nwaneri (for Odegaard, 78 minutes) – 6
Oozes class and came close to scoring.
Jakub Kiwior (for Gabriel, 84 minutes) – 5
Got done by the pace of Gyokeres in the latter stages.