Arsenal handed major boost ahead of Sporting return leg
Premier League table-toppers Arsenal have, on Thursday evening, seen their hopes of booking a spot in the quarter-finals of the Europa League afforded a boost.
Mikel Arteta’s troops, of course, are currently locked in action.
Fresh off a remarkable comeback downing of Bournemouth at the weekend, the Gunners have turned their attentions back towards matters on the continent, in a Europa League showdown with Portuguese giants Sporting CP.
And, inside the first-half of action at the Estadio Jose Alvalade, it is Arsenal who, once more, boast the advantage.
After winning a corner kick just beyond the 20-minute mark, Fabio Vieira’s delicious ensuing delivery from the right was met by William Saliba, who made little mistake in nodding into the bottom corner:
SALIBAAA 🎶
A fantastic header from the Frenchman to put Arsenal ahead 💥#UEL pic.twitter.com/RJrqruDJrA
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2023
And, in the ensuing melee following the goal, as alluded to above, the hopes of the Gunners of marching on to the last-eight in Europe were swiftly boosted once more.
Owing to an accumulation of bookings, the former Liverpool stopper will therefore be unavailable for selection at The Emirates in a week’s time.
*Update* – Sporting have since levelled things up through Goncalo Ignacio.
🚨 Sporting CP captain Sebastian Coates will now MISS the second-leg against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium next week due to suspension, after picking up a yellow card this evening. #afc
— afcstuff (@afcstuff) March 9, 2023
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