Arsenal suffered double injury blow in an excruciating Europa League exit

Arsenal suffered double injury blow in an excruciating Europa League exit

Arsenal were eliminated from Europe on penalties on Thursday night after conceding a Nayim-style goal from the halfway line – and suffered two injuries that could jeopardize their title challenge.

Nayim, a former Tottenham player, scored a famous long-range winner against Arsenal in the 1995 European Cup Winners’ Cup final.

Ex-Wolves midfielder Pedro Goncalves scored a Hollywood goal from just inside the Arsenal half on Thursday night, in the first European knockout tie at a packed Emirates since the pandemic.

Extra time was unable to separate the teams, despite seven successful spot kicks.

Sporting keeper Antonio Adan saved Gabriel Martinelli‘s penalty before substitute Nuno Santos smashed the winning penalty past Ramsdale.

Since taking over in December 2019, Mikel Arteta has yet to win a home European knockout game.

The second period was expected to be dominated by Sporting in an increasingly nervous atmosphere at the Emirates. Ramsdale had to get down to parry a cross from Ricardo Esgaio.

After 65 minutes, the England goalkeeper couldn’t get near Goncalves’ long-range shot, which sailed over his head and into the net from 46 yards.

The most distant goal scored in the Europa League this season.

Oleksandr Zinchenko gathered the stunned Arsenal players in a huddle before Areta introduced Thomas Partey and Bukayo Saka to rousing applause.

Ramsdale saved face – and kept Arsenal in the tie – with a brave block from Edwards after 72 minutes, when he was clean through and needed treatment before soldiering on.

In injury time, Trossard hit the post before Martin Odegaard came on, and Adan made a stunning save from a Gabriel header.

In addition, Manuel Ugarte received a second yellow card for a late challenge on Saka.

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Arsenal suffered double injury blow in an excruciating Europa League exit