Saliba and Martinelli react to Gabriel’s fantastic performance vs Sporting CP

Arsenal delivered an impressive performance with a dominant 5-1 victory over Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday night.

 

The Gunners entered the match expecting a challenging encounter against the reigning Portuguese champions, who recently stunned Manchester City with a commanding 4-1 win. However, the London club rose to the occasion in Lisbon, displaying remarkable composure and attacking prowess. Arsenal could have easily netted more than three goals in the opening 45 minutes, showcasing their offensive superiority.

 

Although Sporting CP managed to pull one back shortly after halftime, Arsenal quickly regained control, ensuring a comfortable away victory. Central defender Gabriel Magalhães stood out as a key player in the match. His defensive performance was exceptional, as he neutralized the threat posed by Viktor Gyökeres. The Swedish forward struggled to make an impact, managing only five touches inside the box and being limited to speculative shots from distance that posed little trouble for goalkeeper David Raya.

 

In addition to his defensive excellence, Magalhães made his mark on the scoresheet by heading in a Declan Rice corner, earning his third goal of the season. His overall contribution was instrumental, and his efforts did not go unnoticed. Following the game, the Brazilian took to Instagram to thank his teammates and supporters, receiving praise from fellow players. William Saliba referred to him as “monstro” (Portuguese for “monster”), while Gabriel Martinelli hailed him as “maquinaaa” (Portuguese for “machine”). These accolades reflected the high regard for Magalhães’ outstanding display.

 

However, the 26-year-old’s evening ended on a concerning note as he sustained an injury in the final moments of the game. Arsenal will be hoping for his swift recovery ahead of their Premier League clash against West Ham United this Saturday.

 

With consecutive victories over Nottingham Forest and Sporting CP, Arsenal appear to be finding their rhythm. They will aim to extend this winning streak to close the nine-point gap separating them from league leaders Liverpool. Meanwhile, Liverpool face a difficult test against Manchester City, who are eager to bounce back from a six-match winless streak, which includes five defeats. This scenario provides Arsenal with an excellent opportunity to apply pressure by securing a crucial victory over the Hammers at the London Stadium.