Painful Europa League exit could prove Arsenal blessing in disguise as Mikel Arteta handed selection boost

Arsenal were knocked out of the Europa League after losing to Sporting on penalties, in a game that left several of their starters injured. Center-back William Saliba was forced to come off with a back injury and defender Takehiro Tomiyasu twisted his knee in the opening 10 minutes, leaving Emirates Stadium on crutches. Bukayo Saka was sent flying by a tackle that resulted in Manuel Ugarte getting a second yellow card with minutes left in extra-time, while goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale needed extensive treatment after taking a ball to the face. To round off a miserable evening, Gabriel Martinelli missed the decisive penalty after everyone else scored theirs.

By the end of the last-16 tie, Arteta’s side resembled the walking wounded, and the all-hope of resting players for the visit of Crystal Palace on Sunday were long gone. Arsenal’s only focus now is the title, and the perfect way to bounce back from defeat is to beat Palace and go eight points clear of Manchester City. Arteta believes they need to challenge on two fronts, but with an 11-game-long Premier League schedule ahead, Arsenal can now fully focus on the title, which could prove beneficial in the long run.

Arteta has said they have “11 cup finals” and have the opportunity to play with their strongest team in every game now. The manager has been reluctant to rotate all season, and the few times he has, the team hasn’t been at their fluid best. Last night Arsenal never kicked on after Granit Xhaka put them ahead midway through the first half. Sporting fought their way back into it, and Pedro Goncalves’s essential goal from just inside the Arsenal half summed up that it felt like this would be their night.

Palace at home looks like the ideal game for Arsenal to bounce back. The Eagles are without a manager and winless in their past 11 Premier League games. They have also failed to score in nine of their past 14 League matches, including the last four in a row. With Manchester City in FA Cup action this weekend, the opportunity is there for Arsenal to strengthen their grip on top spot in the Premier League and put last night behind them.



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