One Arsenal star suffered a nightmare against Sporting CP, despite 5-1 thrashing

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What a night it was for Arsenal, who won on the road in Europe for the first time in 2024.

Matchweek five of the Champions League presented a spectacle in Lisbon as Arsenal thrashed Sporting CP 5-1.

Pep Guardiola had warned Mikel Arteta of Sporting’s threat however, the boss was able to do what his former colleague did not.

The win moved the North Londoners up the Champions League table to spark the start of a possible turnaround in form. 

Jurrien Timber was Arsenal’s unsung hero against Sporting

There were plenty of top performers on show for the Gunners on the night and despite the goalscorers earning high praise, very few deserved the headlines more than Jurrien Timber.

The defender was at his best against Sporting, playing at right back to support Bukayo Saka, something that he did exceptionally well.

As seen above, the Netherlands international was on top form in Lisbon, being a force to be reckoned with both going forward and at the back.

The opening minutes were made treacherous for Sporting by Timber, who unleashed flurry after flurry of attack, amounting to recording an assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s sixth-minute opener.

When looking at how the former Ajax prodigy starred in the Champions League on Tuesday night, it’s astonishing just how Arsenal coped without him during the 2023/24 campaign.

Of course, during Timber’s ACL recovery, Arteta had Ben White to call on, however, the big win against Sporting could indicate a turn of the tide. 

Ben White will be concerned by what he saw vs Sporting CP

Arteta confirmed that White will be out for months after undergoing surgery to solve a knee injury.

The Englishman is an incredibly valued member of the Arsenal squad, with the Gunners debating how to replace White.

Given how Timber performed against Sporting, the early indication is that White’s cover hasn’t been identified, but rather his replacement has. 

The 27-year-old would have been thrilled to see his team win big in Lison however, there was surely a thought of doubt for the future when watching the Dutchman’s masterclass at right-back. 

There’s very little room for change in Arsenal’s back four, with William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes being firm starters, added to by Riccardo Calafiori’s summer arrival.

The prospect of not having White in the favoured XI is something very few would have imagined last season although now, there’s a Timber-sized space in support of Saka.

For now, White’s focus will be on recovery from his injury, where he’ll be eager to get back and better than ever in a bid to usurp his teammate when the time comes.