‘Nightmare’ Arsenal star showed unplayable edge to his game vs Sporting CP with eight duel wins 

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Arsenal had a night to remember in Lisbon as Mikel Arteta’s side won 5-1 against Sporting CP.

For the first time this year, the Gunners won on the road in the Champions League, demolishing Sporting away from home.

Gabriel Martinelli scored Arsenal’s first European away goal in 350 days after just six minutes, with Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Gabriel Magalhaes and Leandro Trossard also finding the net. 

Arteta will be delighted with his team’s performance in the competition, recording their second consecutive win after a questionable patch of form prior to the international break.

• READ MORE: Martin Odegaard dazzles and two others get 8/10 – Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting CP

Bukayo Saka shone against Sporting CP

It was a night of drama at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, with the peak being Gabriel’s mocking of Viktor Gyokeres. 

While the Brazilian was one of the scorers who had a sublime game, it was another star who shone brightest, and his name will come as no surprise.

Saka scored and assisted against Sporting but that wasn’t the most prominent part of his game as he flexed his superiority to terrorise the hosts’ back line.

As seen above, the Englishman won a monstrous eight duels on the right flank, which was six more than Gabriel who tussled with Gyokeres at centre-back.

The winger was credited with causing a ‘nightmare’ for Maximiliano Araujo, as Rio Ferdinand noted when speaking on TNT Sports’ halftime show.

It was a stellar evening for the Hale End graduate, who showed the maturity of his game with his defensive shift and leadership in all areas on the pitch, ending the fixture with the armband.

Saka extends 2024/25 goal contribution record

Saka contributing to goals has become a frequent occurrence for Arsenal, as the forward took his tally up to 15 goal involvements in only 17 appearances this season. 

The wide player added to his goal and assist against Nottingham Forest by inflicting the same damage on Sporting CP, reminding the Gunners of his importance on the right side.

Saka is relishing the return of captain Martin Odegaard, who also impressed against Sporting, with the two combining effortlessly to wreak havoc on the opposition. 

The only way is up for Saka as the early stages of the 2024/25 calendar have displayed as Sporting became the England international’s latest victim.