EUROPA LEAGUE: Issahaku Abdul Fatawu’s Sporting CP eliminate Arsenal

At the Emirates stadium on Thursday night, Portuguese side Sporting CP shocked Arsenal to advance to the quarter-finals of the 2022-23 UEFA Europa League, following a win in penalty shootouts.

Manager Ruben Amorim travelled to London to eliminate English Premier League league leaders from the Europa League after winning 5-3 on penalties having seen game travel to extra time after 90 minutes of action.

With a 2-2 scoreline from the first leg which took place in Portugal, Arteta’s side took the lead in the 19th minute through Swiss International Granit Xhaka. A good start for the Gunners all will say through to the break, however, the best from the visitors were yet to be noticed as Sporting CP maintained his squad for another half.

Two minutes after the hour mark, Pedro Goncalves got unto the scoresheet and there the equalizer was.

Despite, Mikel Arteta bringing on board Ghana international Thomas Partey, Bukayo Saka of England, Leonardo Trossard and Martin Odegaard could not overturn scoreline at 3-3 on aggregate.

Sporting CP boss, having his tactics work to perfection begun to thrill the host on the 90th minute mark with his first substitution by introducing Youssef Chermiti and subsequently Dario Essugo, Nuno Santos, Arthur Gomes and Mateo Tanlongo.

The visitors suffered a late red card following a poor tackle from Manuel Ugarte yet held on to the shootouts, winning 5-3 following Martinelli’s miss.

The Portuguese club is now through to the quarter-finals, thanks to Santos brilliant last kick. They will know his opponent on Friday when the draw is held in Switzerland.

Meanwhile, Ghana international Issahaku Abdul Fatawu was on the bench to see his club excel as he saw no minutes throughout the encounter.

Story Kolog Bonaventure