Kai Havertz came off the bench to snatch a dramatic stoppage-time winner as Arsenal edged Sporting 1-0 in Lisbon to seize the advantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie.
The first leg looked destined to end goalless until Havertz found space in the box and calmly converted Gabriel Martinelli’s pass in the opening minute of added time, giving Arsenal a precious lead to take back to the Emirates next week.
It was a huge result for Mikel Arteta’s side, who arrived in Portugal after suffering back-to-back defeats for the first time this season.
With their hopes of winning multiple trophies fading, Arsenal badly needed a response and found it in the most dramatic fashion.
David Raya was Arsenal’s hero for much of the night. The Spanish goalkeeper made a superb save after just six minutes, tipping Maxi Araujo’s fierce strike on to the crossbar after a brilliant pass from Ousmane Diomande split Arsenal’s defence open.
Raya was called upon again later in the match and delivered when it mattered most, producing key saves to deny Geny Catamo and Luis Suarez as Sporting piled on the pressure.
Arsenal had chances of their own during a lively first half. Noni Madueke’s dangerous corner struck the woodwork before Martin Odegaard sent the rebound wide. Odegaard also forced Rui Silva into a routine save from distance just before the interval.
Sporting thought they had taken the lead shortly after the hour mark when Martin Zubimendi fired home from the edge of the area, but the goal was ruled out after VAR spotted Viktor Gyokeres offside in the build-up.
The home side continued to threaten, with Francisco Trincao dragging a good chance wide and Catamo testing Raya again late on.
Martinelli then nearly broke the deadlock himself with a powerful effort from range, but Silva was equal to it.
Just when the match appeared to be heading for a draw, Martinelli burst into space down the flank and picked out Havertz inside the box.
The German made no mistake, slotting home from close range to give Arsenal a vital first-leg victory and a timely confidence boost ahead of their Premier League clash with Bournemouth.
