Arsenal saw their hopes of Europa League glory ended by Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night. Mikel Arteta’s side had entered the showdown hoping to book their place in the quarter-finals of the competition and keep their hopes of a double alive. However, that didn’t happen with Ruben Armorim’s side claiming a shock result at the Emirates Stadium.
Arsenal went ahead against Sporting through Granit Xhaka, with the Switzerland international firing home in the 19th minute.
However, the tide then turned.
Sporting levelled through a stunning strike from Pedro Goncalves, with the Wolves flop spotting Aaron Ramsdale off his line and lifting the ball over his head.
And Gabriel Martinelli then fluffed his lines in the penalty shootout to spark huge celebrations among the away fans.
Express Sport now takes a look at four players who weren’t good enough during the loss.
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Arsenal star Granit Xhaka brutally mocked by Sporting hero after penalty shootout victory
Sporting's man of the moment Pedro Goncalves could resist mocking Granit Xhaka after the Portuguese club dumped Arsenal out of the Europa League on penalties.
Following a 2-2 draw in Lisbon, Ruben Amorim's side rocked up at the Emirates and caused the Gunners major problems despite Xhaka's first-half opener for the hosts.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta oversaw Sporting Lisbon Europa League defeat (Image: GETTY)
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Aaron Ramsdale has barely put a foot wrong for Arsenal this season.
But while he usually plays high up the field for a goalkeeper, this time that decision failed to pay off.
Ramsdale should have reacted quicker to Gonclaves’ sensational lob. Instead, he lacked speed and decisiveness in deciding to race back and prevent it from falling into the net.
Sure, he did somewhat redeem himself towards the end of the match - making an impressive save to force extra-time.
Yet he also failed to save a single Sporting penalty and he should have done better with two of the efforts in the shootout.