Champions League: Arsenal smash Sporting Lisbon in Matchday 5

Arsenal cruised past Sporting Lisbon in Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League with a convincing 5-1 win on Wednesday morning (AEDT) at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in Portugal.

The visitors took the lead within the opening seven minutes courtesy of Brazilian forward Gabriel Martinelli, before German international Kai Havertz doubled their account 15 minutes later.

Centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes scored from a corner kick to give the Gunners their third goal right before the interval, but Sporting pulled one back immediately after the restart through Portuguese defender Goncalo Inacio.

Bukayo Saka converted from the penalty spot midway through the second-half after Arsenal skipper Martin Odegaard was fouled inside the box, while Belgian international Leandro Trossard netted the simplest of headers to wrap up a dominant display by the EPL side.

In a match where Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta fielded his strongest side for the first time since August, the Gunners recorded their biggest win away in the Champions League since thrashing Inter Milan 5-1 in 2003.

Named player of the match, Saka praised his teammates after their emphatic win.

“We spoke about it before the game,” the 23-year-old said.

“We know this season they’ve been a top team, but we believe in ourselves and we just needed to be us.

“We played with confidence. Everyone was top and anyone could have got this [the player of the match award].

“I’m really proud of all the boys today. This is where we belong, so we showed the level we can play at and we need to continue playing like this.”

After losing to Inter on their trip to Italy in early November, this was by all accounts a statement win from Arsenal.

The victory propelled Arteta’s side to seventh on the Champions League table, while Sporting dropped to eighth.

Arsenal will be in Premier League action this Sunday, with online bookmakers paying -208.33 for the Gunners to beat West Ham United (+525) at the London Stadium.

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