Mikel Arteta has called Sporting’s thrashing of Manchester City in the Champions League “remarkable” – but the Arsenal manager does not expect his analysis of the game to significantly help his side when they visit the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday (8pm GMT).
Forward Viktor Gyokeres scored a hat-trick as the reigning Portuguese champions came from behind to beat City 4-1 at home in their last European game on November 5, keeping them unbeaten and three points above Arsenal, who lost 1-0 at Inter a day later.
“Preparing for Manchester City is a really specific [task],” said Arteta, discussing Sporting’s win over the only team to have finished above Arsenal in England in the last two seasons.
“You need a much broader picture to understand certain behaviours and why [Sporting] do certain things. We have analysed that. It was a remarkable game.
“I would like to talk about their team; about the coaches and how phenomenal they’ve been. The run they’re on is incredible. That tells you that it’s not only their quality, ambition and set-up – it’s something about the team energy they have.”
London to Lisbon. ✈️
Champions League football returns tomorrow ⭐️ pic.twitter.com/oOhGLN9WSA
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 25, 2024
Gyokeres has ‘tremendous pace’
Sporting played for the first time since manager Ruben Amorim’s exit to Manchester United on Friday, beating fourth-tier Amarante 6-0 at home in the Cup of Portugal to continue their unbeaten start in all competitions.
New Lions boss Joao Pereira has inherited a squad who have won all 11 of their league games but Arteta resisted a request to offer his in-depth thoughts on Gyokeres, whose 24 goals this season include five in four Champions League appearances.
“In that specific position, they have tremendous pace,” said Arteta. “They have a lot of individual quality, which is why they are able to win games in a variety of ways.
“That’s the great challenge we have: to come here, make a statement, show that we are capable against these kind of opponents, be ourselves and win the game.”
Leaving for Lisbon 🛫 pic.twitter.com/dguqvnSR6C
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 25, 2024
Arsenal results: Away form concern
Arsenal’s only win in their last seven away games in all competitions came at second-tier Preston North End, although they have drawn three of those matches.
Their last victory on the road in the Champions League came at Sevilla more than 13 months ago, remaining their only away win in Europe since their return to the competition at the start of last season.
“We have to improve results and find ways to understand what has been missing,” Arteta said, reflecting on a respectable performance at Inter following a 0-0 draw at Atalanta.
“Sometimes it’s been the performance, other times other aspects. You have to get all of those right to win, especially away from home.
“The reality is that you have to make [wins] happen and we didn’t. We have to be ruthless and much more efficient in the opposition box. We have to do what we need to do to take three points away.”
