Arsenal knocked out of Europa

Zim Now Writer

Arsenal’s hopes for a European title ended when the Premier League leaders were eliminated from the Europa League by Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon on Thursday in a penalty shootout.

Sporting Lisbon reached the quarter-finals by prevailing 5-3 in the shootout at the Emirates Stadium after a 1-1 draw in regulation in the second leg of their round-of-16 encounter. The first leg ended 2-2.

Gabriel Martinelli failed to convert from the spot for Arsenal.

“It’s a huge blow,” Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta told BT Sport. “There were moments, especially during the first 75 minutes, when we weren’t at our level and gave every ball away.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United cruised into the quarter-finals after a 1-0 victory at Real Betis.

Arsenal dominated the extra time with playmaker Martin Ødegaard coming on as a substitute but Sporting goalkeeper Antonia Adán made some stunning saves to force the shootout.

Manuel Ugarte was sent off two minutes before the end of extra time after picking his second yellow card.

Granit Xhaka gave Arsenal a first-half lead on a rebound to complete a flowing move by the hosts. Martinelli had his effort on goal blocked by Adán but the ball came into Xhaka’s path for the Arsenal captain on the night to curl it into the net from inside the area.

Pedro Gonçalves levelled the score on the hour to spark the visitors’ attack and force extra time.