Arsenal may have escaped Lisbon with a result, but it was far from convincing from Mikel Arteta's side and that's been a worrying trend as of late.
After they were outplayed by Manchester City at Wembley, the Gunners' shock defeat against Southampton meant that they could have done with a convincing display against Sporting CP.
In the end, however, it took Kai Havertz's last-gasp winner to hand them the first-leg advantage courtesy of a 1-0 victory.
Havertz-Rice-Arsenal
There's a lot for Arteta to unpick after a lethargic display and it may not be too long before he joins those asking serious questions of captain Martin Odegaard.
Why Martin Odegaard is becoming a problem for Arsenal
There was a time when Odegaard's absence could derail Arsenal's season entirely. He was the spark of creativity that turned Arteta's style from pragmatic to deadly, but even he has fallen victim to a slower, albeit potentially title-winning, system from the Spaniard this season.
Odegaard-Arteta-Arsenal
After a mix of injuries and poor form, it's becoming increasingly difficult to pinpoint the Norwegian's role. He's no longer the chief creator, with just six Premier League assists to his name and it's not absurd to suggest that he's not the most vocal leader at the Emirates, despite holding the armband.
Martin Odegaard at Arsenal 23/24 24/25 25/26
Minutes 3,098 2,238 1,078
Goals 8 3 1
Assists 10 8 6
Chances created 102 63 30
Touches in opposition box 188 121 31
The numbers are damning for Odegaard. Not only has his availability dropped away season by season, but his influence has also decreased.
From 18 goal involvements in 23/24, with 188 touches in the opposition box, the midfielder has taken just 31 touches inside the area so far this season.
Arsenal-Martin-Odegaard
Arteta's pragmatic approach has left his creator stranded and if that remains the case, Arsenal must cash in on both their captain alongside another attacker this summer.
£27m Arsenal star must be sold before Odegaard
It's not just Odegaard who's struggled in recent times. Alongside him, Leandro Trossard is in serious danger of allowing Gabriel Martinelli to finally regain his starting place.
Trossard-Fresneda-Arsenal-Sporting
Against Man City, Arsenal needed an out ball - a runner in behind - and that's simply not Trossard's game. When in possession, the former Brighton man needs just an ounce of space to unleash a snapshot. Take that space away completely, however, and he becomes frustratingly limited.
At 31 years old, Trossard is already at the peak of his powers and Andrea Berta would be wise to recognise the time to cash in this summer - potentilaly making profit on the £26m that Arsenal initially splashed out in 2023.
Vs Sporting Trossard Martinelli
Minutes 76 14
Assists 0 1
Chances created 0 1
Top speed 30.1 km/h 30.7 km/h
Martinelli needed just 14 minutes to do what Trossard failed to do in the previous 76 against Sporting and by doing so, he should have earned his place back.
Indeed, in the last 19 matches, the Belgian has now gone goalless. He's yet to find the net at all in this calendar year. It's in stark contrast to the 17-goal campaign he provided in 2023/24.
With just seven games remaining in the Premier League, including a trip to the Etihad, now is not the time for Arteta to carry passengers. Trossard is without a goal involvement in far too long, remains limited beyond his ball striking, and is showing all the signs of a 31-year-old winger.
It wasn't so long ago that Arsenal ditched the idea of handing Raheem Sterling a prominent role last season. He was 31 at the time and struggling to make his mark on either flank as an ageing forward.
Trossard-Arsenal
Now, 12 months later, Trossard should receive a similar treatment. If games against Man City, Southampton and Sporting are anything to go by, Arteta simply must unleash his most dangerous attack instead of simply battling for results.
By ditching Trossard this summer, those in North London can invest in a wide-man capable of transforming their frontline.
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