Arsenal got back to winning ways in the Champions League with a commanding victory over Sporting at Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Gabriel Martinelli tapped home from Jurrien Timber’s low cross as Mikel Arteta’s side went in front early on.
They doubled the lead in similar fashion, Bukayo Saka getting in behind the Sporting defence and firing the ball across the box for Kai Havertz to prod in from close range.
Gabriel scored his first Champions League goal on the stroke of half-time, powering in a header from a Declan Rice corner.
Shortly after the break Goncalo Inacio got a goal back for Sporting with a smart left-footed strike but it was a mere consolation for the hosts.
Ousmane Diomande was lucky to avoid a second yellow card when he went straight through the back of Martin Odegaard and conceded a penalty.
Saka scored the resulting spot-kick, whipping it into the bottom corner.
Mikel Merino’s fierce strike from the edge of the area was parried by home goalkeeper Franco Israel into the path of Leandro Trossard, who headed into an empty net for Arsenal’s fifth goal.
Gunners rewarded for fast start
Arteta spoke ahead of the match about wanting his players to make a Champions League statement by recording a big win against Sporting, and they duly obliged.
Martinelli’s goal, recorded at six minutes 43 seconds, was Arsenal’s fastest in the competition since Theo Walcott netted against Basel in September 2016 (06:42).
Saka was in fine form on the right wing, providing the assist for Arsenal’s second goal before converting from the spot as he registered his 11th goal involvement in the Champions League (six goals, five assists).
It is the second time that Arsenal have scored three goals in the first half of a Champions League away game, previously beating Galatasaray 4-1 in December 2014.
Arteta was able to withdraw key players Rice, Martinelli and Odegaard as his side cruised to a brilliant victory on the road.
The Gunners were winless in their last five away games in the competition (drawn two, lost three) but they blew Sporting away with their fast start and completely dominated from the first whistle.
