November 27th 2024.
In a stunning match against Sporting Lisbon, Gabriel showed off his impressive skills on the field and helped lead Arsenal to a 5-1 victory in the Champions League. However, the celebration was slightly dampened as Mikel Arteta revealed that they may have to wait a while before seeing Gabriel in action again. This news came after the closing stages of the game, when Gabriel was forced to leave the field due to an injury.
After a tough loss to Inter earlier in the month, the Gunners bounced back with a strong performance in their Champions League campaign. The team was able to secure an early lead with goals from Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz, which helped to settle any nerves. With the return of Martin Odegaard to the team, Arteta's side looked like a completely different team compared to their previous struggles in front of the goal. This was especially evident during the absence of their captain, who had missed 12 games due to injury in October and November.
Gabriel's header just before half-time seemed to seal the deal for Arsenal, but Sporting Lisbon managed to find a way back into the game shortly after the break. A lapse in concentration from Arsenal allowed Goncalo Inacio to score a goal from a corner kick. However, Bukayo Saka's penalty in the 65th minute restored the three-goal lead for Arsenal, and substitute Leandro Trossard put the final nail in the coffin with his goal, securing Arsenal's biggest away win in the competition in 21 years.
There was a moment of concern when Gabriel, who had been dominating his battle against Viktor Gyokeres, had to leave the field towards the end of the game. He was replaced by Jakob Kiwior, and Arteta explained the late change by saying that Gabriel had been feeling some discomfort. The team will be hoping for a speedy recovery as they prepare for a London derby against West Ham on Saturday, and they certainly don't want to be without their "Brazilian tower of power" who has formed a strong partnership with William Saliba in defense.
When asked about his thoughts on the team's performance, Arteta expressed his pride in a team that has faced a lot of criticism in recent weeks due to their poor form. He highlighted the difficulty of playing against such a strong opponent in their home ground, as Sporting Lisbon had not lost a game in 18 months. He was pleased with the determination, purpose, and fluidity that his team displayed throughout the game.
Arteta also reflected on the difference between this game and their previous match against Inter, where they struggled to match the intensity of their opponents. He was pleased to see his team replicate their performance and be even more efficient in the opposition half. He praised their courage and acknowledged their strength as a team, and noted that seeing them play live made him realize just how good they are. With such a strong performance, Arteta believes that good things are in store for Arsenal in Europe.
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