Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has laid down the gauntlet to his players after they dismantled Sporting CP 5-1 in a statement Champions League win.
The Gunners’ emphatic victory in Lisbon was a marked turnaround from their recent away form, with goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes, Bukayo Saka, and Leandro Trossard propelling them to a decisive win.
Arteta had called on his team to prove their mettle after a disappointing 1-0 defeat against Inter in their previous Champions League outing, and his players rose to the occasion in style.
This dominant Champions League result comes on the back of an equally impressive 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League just days earlier. The win also ended a remarkable run for Sporting CP, who had remained unbeaten across 18 matches this season, including 17 wins and a draw.
Speaking after the match, Arteta said: “That’s what we need to do. We need to find consistency. You want to be challenging for the big things? You have to be consistent. Win and win again.”
When asked if this was Arsenal’s best away European performance under his management, Arteta didn’t hesitate: “Absolutely. Especially against a team that hasn’t lost at home in 18 months.”
Arsenal’s next test comes on November 30 when they travel to face a resilient West Ham side in the Premier League. With momentum on their side, the Gunners will aim to keep the winning streak alive and close the gap on the title race as they currently find themselves nine points behind leaders Liverpool in the standings.
Image Credit: AFP