As Arsenal were eliminated from the UEFA Europa League, the possibility of a ‘double’ disappeared.
Arsenal, who had the second leg of the 2022-2023 European Football Federation (UEFA) Europa League round of 16 at the Emirates Stadium in London, 안전놀이터 England on the morning of the 17th (Korean time) lost to Sporting after a penalty shootout.
Arsenal drew 2-2 in the first leg, which was away. At that time, William Saliba scored the opening goal, but Gonzalo Inacio and Paulinho allowed consecutive goals and were dragged away. Morita Hidemasa’s own goal secured a draw.
In this game too, Granit Xaka took the lead in the 19th minute of the first half. Xhaca scored with his left foot after Gabriel Martinelli’s shot deflected off goalkeeper Antonio Adan. However, in the 17th minute of the second half, Pedro Gonsalves’ fantastic equalizer came. Gonçalves attempted a shot as soon as it crossed the half-line and crossed the goalkeeper’s key to equalize.
With an aggregate score of 3-3, the game went into overtime. Arsenal was blocked by Adan’s successive saves and could not open the goal. In the 13th minute of the second half of extra time, Manuel Ugarte was sent off for a rough tackle on Bukayo Saka.
In the penalty shootout, Adan’s saving continued. Both teams succeeded up to the 3rd kicker, and the game was split at the 4th kicker. Martinelli’s shot went to the middle instead of the right corner, and Adan knocked it away. Sporting’s number 5 kicker, Nuno Santos, overcame the pressure and scored the goal.
Arsenal now focuses only on winning the English Premier League (EPL). Even the Europa League was eliminated, and there are no tournaments left this season. In the EPL, currently with 66 points, they are 5 points ahead of 2nd place Manchester City.
There are 11 games left, so the rankings can change enough. Man City is in a good mood, such as defeating Leipzig 7-0 in the UEFA Champions League (UCL). Arsenal need to pick up the mood and prevent a loss against Sporting from leading to a losing streak.