Arsenal won their largest Champions League away win in 21 years at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday as Bukayo Saka scored and set up another as they defeated Sporting 5-1.
Arsenal dominated their hosts after Gabriel Martinelli scored early and Kai Havertz and Gabriel added two more goals before halftime.
Goncalo Inacio pulled a goal back for Sporting early in the second period, but Saka’s penalty restored Arsenal’s three-goal lead and Leandro Trossard added a fifth for their largest Champions League away win since 2003 at Inter Milan.
Arsenal climbed ahead of Sporting to eighth in the 36-team league with 10 points from five games. Portuguese have the same points but trail goal-difference by one.
Arsenal have won two straight after a mini-slump and looked to be rediscovering their form again with some great play in Lisbon.
Their first two goals came from right-wing attacks, where they were having fun. In the seventh minute, Jurrien Timber’s low cross escaped everyone and found Martinelli at the back post to put the visitors ahead.
Arsenal kept up the pace and rightfully doubled their lead midway through the first half when Saka sprinted into the box and pushed the ball past Sporting goalkeeper Franco Israel for Havertz to finish.
Sporting’s dynamic 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda forced a brilliant stop from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya before halftime in a rare venture forward, but they went further behind in the last seconds. Few would argue Arsenal deserved their 3-0 lead after Gabriel headed home a Declan Rice corner.
They hoped for a calm second half, but Sporting got back in. Inacio scored off Francisco Trincao’s corner kick to save his team. After Ousmane Diomande fouled Martin Odegaard from behind, Saka coolly converted the penalty into the bottom right corner. Arsenal were not as dominant in the second stanza.
After Israel parried Mikel Merino’s long-range attempt into his path, substitute Trossard headed in a fifth.
