Arsenal delivered a dominant display on Tuesday night to continue their good run in the UEFA Champions League with a 5-1 victory over Sporting Lisbon.
Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes put the Arsenal three in front by half time. Gonçalo Inacio pulled a goal back for Sporting shortly after the break but Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard struck to seal Arsenal’s win.
While Arsenal played their heart out, one player shone brightly under the flood light and this caught the attention of Mikel Arteta.
Thomas Partey registered an impressive performance at the heart of Arsenal’s midfield and Arteta has backed the 31-year-old to be a ‘massive player’ for his side this season.
Mikel Arteta of Arsenal FC and Thomas Partey celebrate the victory over Sporting (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
‘I think it’s one of the best performances I have seen from him, especially the way he’s dominated the game so that’s the level he can play, he’s progressing,’ Arteta said of Partey.
‘This year he’s been so consistent as well because he always has a role, that’s a big thing, he’s a massive player for us.’
Asked whether Arsenal’s win could be considered a ‘statement’ to other sides in the Champions League, Arteta said: ‘For sure, the performance was there a few times and when we have played big teams, when we have played PSG, we were exceptional, again, when we played Bayern we were exceptional and some mistakes cost us.
‘Now it’s Inter, now it’s this level, that’s the level we have to be able to cope and you have to make it happen, then that creates belief, then on the next one the players will be better prepared. We need that consistency because the ability to do it is there.’
Arsenal’s victory over Sporting Lisbon saw them move to seventh place on the table and boost a high chance of qualifying to the next stage.
