Arsenal Exit Europa League after Penalty Shoot-Out Defeat Against Sporting Lisbon

Sporting Lisbon’s Pedro Goncalves scored an unimaginable equaliser and the Portuguese crew went on to knock Arsenal out of the Europa League with a 5-3 penalty shootout victory in Thursday’s final 16 second leg.

Sporting trailed when Granit Xhaka gave Premier League leaders Arsenal the lead within the first half on the Emirates Stadium.

But Portugal midfielder Goncalves compelled extra-time when he beat Arsenal keeper Aaron Ramsdale with a wide ranging strike from 46 yards out.

Goncalves’s audacious objective was paying homage to David Beckham’s long-range chip for Manchester United towards Wimbledon that launched him to superstardom in 1996.

With actuality tv star Kim Kardashian and her Arsenal fan son Saint watching from the stands, a pulsating encounter ended degree at 1-1 on the night time and 3-3 on mixture, requiring penalties to settle the tie.

It was Sporting who emerged with a shock victory as Gabriel Martinelli’s effort was saved by Antonio Adan and Nuno Santos dispatched the successful kick.

“An enormous blow clearly. There had been moments within the first 75 minutes the place we weren’t at our degree. We gave each ball away and we didn’t have the capability to take the sport,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said.

“We had big chances to finish the game. We have to look at ourselves and why we were not good enough to go through.”

Adding to Arsenal’s issues, defenders William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu limped off injured within the first half after Arteta tried to guard his key gamers by making 5 modifications.

Arsenal haven’t received a European trophy since lifting the Cup-Winners’ Cup in 1994 and their wait will go on for one more 12 months.

But the Gunners would gladly swap Europa League success for a long-awaited Premier League title.

Arsenal sit 5 factors away from second positioned Manchester City within the Premier League as they chase a primary title since 2004.

“We have 11 video games left. Our subsequent sport with Palace is a closing. All the work we do proper now needs to be in direction of Palace. We need to be higher than this sport,” Arteta said.

Arteta had fielded a strong side in the first leg in Lisbon, but was more cautious ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace, resting Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Leandro Trossard, Ben White and Thomas Party.

Bewildered Ramsdale

Arteta’s one concession to Arsenal’s attempt to reach the last eight was including Brazil forward Gabriel Jesus for his first start since undergoing knee surgery following his injury at the World Cup last year.

Jesus, who came off the bench against Fulham on Sunday for his first appearance since the injury, nearly marked his return with a goal as he stretched to reach Reiss Nelson’s cross, forcing Adan to save at full stretch.

Arsenal moved ahead in the 19th minute when Gabriel Martinelli got behind the Sporting defence for a shot that was parried out by Adan, with Xhaka lashing in the rebound from 12 yards.

The sight of Saliba limping off moments later dampened the celebrations of Xhaka’s fifth goal this season.

Arteta had seen enough of Arsenal’s injury problems and took off Jesus at the interval to preserve his star striker.

But Sporting mounted a strong showing in the second half and their pressure was rewarded in stunning style in the 62nd minute.

When Jorginho lost possession in the centre circle, Goncalves seized his chance, looking up to see Ramsdale off his line before unfurling an incredible lofted strike from just inside the Gunners half that arrowed over the Arsenal keeper and dipped in under the bar.

Ramsdale sat bewildered behind his personal web and shell-shocked Arsenal virtually conceded once more when Paulinho headed simply over.

Sporting’s Marcus Edwards and Arsenal substitute Trossard both spurned glorious chances to win it before Lisbon’s Manuel Ugarte was sent off for a second bookable offence when he clattered into Bukayo Saka in the 118th minute.

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