Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting: Thomas Partey a class above but Fabio Vieira fades in Europa League defeat | OneFootball

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rsenal were dumped out of the Europa League at the last-16 stage after losing to Sporting on penalties.

The two sides could not be separated after 120 minutes of football, with the match level at 1-1 and the tie 3-3 on aggregate.

Granit Xhaka had put Arsenal ahead in the first-half, but Pedro Goncalves equalised after the break with a strike from near the halfway line.

Arsenal went close to winning it in extra-time as Leandro Trossard hit the post and Gabriel had a header cleared off the line.

In the end, it was Sporting who won it on penalties. Gabriel Martinelli missed his spot-kick and the visitors scored all five of their’s.

Simon Collings was at Emirates Stadium to see Arsenal in action...

Aaron Ramsdale 6

Caught out by a brilliant, long-range strike from Goncalves. Some will question Ramsdale’s positioning, but you have to applaud the finish too. Made a huge save to deny Marcus Edwards. Couldn’t save any in the shootout.

Takehiro Tomiyasu N/A

Lasted less than 10 minutes as injury forced him to come off. Appeared to tweak something stretching for a ball.

William Saliba 6

Was having a good game and looked steady, but forced to come off after just 22 minutes due to injury. Arsenal will pray it is nothing serious.

Gabriel 7

The better of Arsenal’s two centre-backs on the night, although not quite at his best. Made a few big blocks in the first-half to stop Sporting on the counter. So nearly scored a winner in extra-time.

Oleksandr Zinchenko 7

Enjoyed plenty of the ball, as always, but not quite as impactful as he can be. Made a vital tackle on Edwards when he broke free in the first-half.

Fabio Vieira 5

Trusted with playing the ‘Martin Odegaard role’ and he looked fairly decent in the first-half. Faded after the break, though, and should have come off sooner.

Jorginho 7

Played an excellent pass for the opening goal as he split the Sporting defence to find Gabriel Martinelli. Partly at fault for the Sporting equaliser as he played Xhaka into trouble.

Granit Xhaka 7

Ended his long wait for a goal and found the net for the first time since October. Captain for the night and had a decent game.

Reiss Nelson 6

The odd lively moment in the first-half, in particular one cross that Jesus almost got on the end of. Taken off with just under 30 minutes to go.

Gabriel Jesus 6

Had a few bright moments as he made his first start since November. Taken off at half-time as Arsenal continue to manage his minutes.

Gabriel Martinelli 6

Involved in the opening goal as his shot was saved and Xhaka scored the rebound. Worked tirelessly on the left and was Arsenal’s liveliest forward. Missed his penalty.

Substitutions

Ben White (Tomiyasu 9’) 6

On at right-back much earlier than expected. Put in a solid display.

Rob Holding (Saliba 21’) 6

A rare appearance for the centre-back and he largely held his own.

Leandro Trossard (Jesus 45’) 7

On at the break for Jesus. Went close to scoring when he hit the post in extra-time.

Bukayo Saka (Nelson 66’) 7

Thrown on as Arteta responded to Sporting equalising. Beat his opposite man on several occasions.

Thomas Partey (Jorginho 65’) 8 | Star player