LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Mikel Arteta the manager / head coach of Arsenal with his players after losing to Sporting CP 5-4 on penalties in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)
3 positives & negatives as Sporting CP dump Arsenal out of Europa League
Sporting CP took Arsenal into extra-time and then penalties, where the Gunners ultimately succumbed to a disappointing 5-3 defeat after Gabriel Martinelli saw his penalty saved.
On the balance of play over the two legs, it is hard to argue that Sporting didn’t deserve the victory. While it is true that we created more than enough chances to win the game – and had it not been for Antonio Adan’s heroics in goal, we likely would have done – the team allowed Sporting far too many chances of their own.
However, it is worth remembering that while the defeat is demoralising, there are still positives to take from the game.
3 positives and negatives as Sporting CP dump Arsenal out of Europa League
💬 "It’s done now, we can’t think too much about it, we have to move forward and we have a new game on Sunday and we just have to be ready for that one now." pic.twitter.com/R7UXPwD9G0
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 16, 2023
Positive #1: Gabriel Jesus’ sharpness
One such positive is the apparent sharpness of Gabriel Jesus. As his cameo against Fulham at the weekend suggested, the Brazilian is playing as though he hasn’t been injured for the last three months.
He was subbed off at half-time, but he was very impressive during his 45-minute cameo. The striker reminded us all of what we have been missing in his absence; tenacity, quick feet, intelligent link-up play and an ability to swivel opposition centre-backs with ease. Had it not been for a smart save by Adan, he likely would have got himself on the scoresheet too.
As the 25-year-old continues to return to full match fitness, he will only get even better and that is a huge boost for us in our bid to win the Premier League title.
Negative #1: Europa League elimination
Rather obviously, the most pertinent negative from the defeat was our subsequent elimination from the Europa League. The majority of the fanbase has predominantly been focused on the Premier League, as have Mikel Arteta and the players, but that doesn’t make our exit any less damning.
As a club, our success in Europe, or rather the lack of it, is a concern and this was an opportunity for us to rectify that. The fact that Arteta named such a strong XI in both legs tells us that he too was keen to go far in this competition.
He confirmed his intentions after the game, admitting that the defeat was a huge blow.
“A huge blow. We really wanted to go through and fight in the competition and go for it. Today, we tried for 120 minutes and the penalties, and it wasn’t enough.”
Our long wait for European silverware will continue for at least one more year.
Continued on the next slide…
pic.twitter.com/R7UXPwD9G0
<p>— Arsenal (@Arsenal) <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/3-positives-negatives-sporting-dump-arsenal-out-europa-league/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1636513558463651845?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>March 16, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>Positive #1: Gabriel Jesus’ sharpness</h2>
<p>One such positive is the apparent sharpness of Gabriel Jesus. As his cameo against Fulham at the weekend suggested, the Brazilian is playing as though he hasn’t been injured for the last three months.</p>
<p>He was subbed off at half-time, but he was very impressive during his 45-minute cameo. The striker reminded us all of what we have been missing in his absence; tenacity, quick feet, intelligent link-up play and an ability to swivel opposition centre-backs with ease. Had it not been for a smart save by Adan, he likely would have got himself on the scoresheet too.</p>
<p>As the 25-year-old continues to return to full match fitness, he will only get even better and that is a huge boost for us in our bid to win the Premier League title.</p>
<h2>Negative #1: Europa League elimination</h2>
<p>Rather obviously, the most pertinent negative from the defeat was our subsequent elimination from the Europa League. The majority of the fanbase has predominantly been focused on the Premier League, as have Mikel Arteta and the players, but that doesn’t make our exit any less damning.</p>
<p>As a club, our success in Europe, or rather the lack of it, is a concern and this was an opportunity for us to rectify that. The fact that Arteta named such a strong XI in both legs tells us that he too was keen to go far in this competition.</p>
<p>He <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/3-positives-negatives-sporting-dump-arsenal-out-europa-league/"https://www.arsenal.com/full-transcript-mikel-arteta-post-match-press-conference-read-every-word-europa-league-sporting-cp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">confirmed</a> his intentions after the game, admitting that the defeat was a huge blow.</p>
<blockquote><p>“A huge blow. We really wanted to go through and fight in the competition and go for it. Today, we tried for 120 minutes and the penalties, and it wasn’t enough.”</p></blockquote>
<p>Our long wait for European silverware will continue for at least one more year.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/3-positives-negatives-sporting-dump-arsenal-out-europa-league/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #2 positive and negative </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Positive #2: The atmosphere</h2>
<div id="attachment_133031" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-133031" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/3-positives-negatives-sporting-dump-arsenal-out-europa-league/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1474012127.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1474012127.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1474012127-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 16: Rain is seen leaking through onto seats as fans move away during the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023, in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>Another positive from the match was the atmosphere inside the Emirates. Throughout the game, the fans were fantastic and they did everything they could to help the team get over the line. It is a testament to Arteta and the team that the relationship between them and the fans has not just been restored but improved exponentially.</p>
<p>The once somewhat toxic relationship is now a strength for the club, and that was demonstrated after the match. Despite watching their team ultimately lose in devasting fashion via a penalty shootout, chants of “Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal…” could be heard ringing around the stadium.</p>
<p>We lost the game due to a lack of guile, not because of work ethic, and the fans were keen to applaud the side for their effort. Maintaining that atmosphere is going to be key if we are to sustain our title push.</p>
<h2>Negative #2: Injury concerns</h2>
<p>Both Takehiro Tomiyasu, and more worryingly, <a title="Mikel Arteta coy over seriousness of William Saliba’s injury" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/3-positives-negatives-sporting-dump-arsenal-out-europa-league/"https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/mikel-arteta-coy-william-saliba-injury/" rel="">William Saliba</a> were forced off the pitch early in the first half. Saliba has been at the forefront of our success this season, having formed a formidable partnership with Gabriel Magalhaes at the back, and if his injury is serious, it will be a massive blow.</p>
<p>Speaking after the game, Arteta gave his thoughts on both injuries:</p>
<blockquote><p>“Tomiyasu looks pretty serious, for his reaction straight away and what he said to me. Obviously, it’s very early and difficult to know. William, I don’t know. He had some discomfort and could not carry on, so we had to take him off.”</p></blockquote>
<p>The effect of an injury to Tomiyasu, particularly a serious one, should not be underestimated. It not only considerably weakens our bench moving forward, but also will result in Benjamin White being forced to play the vast majority of minutes at right-back for the remainder of the campaign.</p>
<p><em>Continued on the next slide…</em></p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background: #c01f2f" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/3-positives-negatives-sporting-dump-arsenal-out-europa-league/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> #3 positive and negative </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><h2>Positive #3: Lighter fixture schedule</h2>
<div id="attachment_133009" class="wp-caption alignnone">
<img decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="size-full wp-image-133009" src=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/3-positives-negatives-sporting-dump-arsenal-out-europa-league/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_2133,w_3200/https%3A%2F%2Fpaininthearsenal.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2017%2F07%2F1248400084.jpeg" alt="" width="3200" height="2133" srcset="https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1248400084.jpeg 3200w, https://paininthearsenal.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2017/07/1248400084-768x512.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 3200px) 100vw, 3200px"><p class="wp-caption-text">LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 16: Mikel Arteta the manager/head coach of Arsenal with his players after losing to Sporting CP 5-4 on penalties in the UEFA Europa League round of 16 leg two match between Arsenal FC and Sporting CP at Emirates Stadium on March 16, 2023, in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)</p>
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<p>While our exit from the Europa League is disheartening, regarding our title charge, it may be a benefit. As a direct result of our elimination, the team will have to play at least two fewer fixtures between now and the end of the season, which can only be an advantage for us compared to Manchester City.</p>
<p>It is now down to the players to put that advantage to use and continue to string together impressive results in the league. That starts on Sunday, against a Crystal Palace side that have s<a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/3-positives-negatives-sporting-dump-arsenal-out-europa-league/"https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12835373/patrick-vieira-crystal-palace-sack-manager-after-18-months-in-charge" target="_blank" rel="noopener">acked Patrick Vieira as their manager.</a></p>
<p>The combination of fatigue and a potential new manager bounce will make that a tough game for us, but if the players truly want to put this result behind them and reap any benefits that may come from the loss, they must win that game.</p>
<p>Captain Martin Odegaard <a href=https://paininthearsenal.com/2023/03/17/3-positives-negatives-sporting-dump-arsenal-out-europa-league/"https://twitter.com/Arsenal/status/1636657373824811009" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stressed</a> the importance of our remaining matches after the defeat.</p>
<blockquote><p>“We have 11 finals to go and that’s it, that’s the main focus now. It starts already now in the dressing room to recover well and change the focus, so that’s what we have to do.”</p></blockquote>
<h2>Negative #3: More sloppy play</h2>
<p>A major concern of mine from the first leg was our sloppiness on the ball, particularly in defence and midfield. Unfortunately, the players did not learn from that experience and needlessly losing possession was a hindrance once again last night.</p>
<p>While we can take nothing away from the exquisiteness of Pedro Goncalves’ equaliser, his effort only materialised after we carelessly lost the ball in the middle of the park. The side looked far more assured once Thomas Partey was introduced in place of Jorginho, however, we continued to lose the ball in dangerous situations.</p>
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<p>If we are to maintain our Premier League form, those lapses in concentration will need to be eradicated – and quickly.</p>
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