Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting as three 8/10 stars help secure dramatic win

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Kai Havertz was Arsenal’s super sub as the Gunners produced a sensational last gasp win at Sporting Lisbon.

Havertz latched on to Gabriel Martinelli’s through ball for an incredible smash-and-grab injury time winner to put Arsenal in pole position to reach the Champions League semi final. It ended Arsenal’s two-game losing streak and might just help turn the whole mood around and make them believe they can win the Double after all.

Arsenal fans up in the gods celebrated wildly as Havertz struck late in a hugely impressive win because it ended Sporting Lisbon’s 17 game winning streak. Gunners keeper David Raya was also a hero as he produced three stunning saves to deny Maxi Artaujo, Francisco Trincao and Geny Catamo.

Even though the Gunners had to ride their luck at times this was a performance full of heroes and defiance to put their miserable run behind them. Arteta’s pre-match messaging was all about his players being “hungrier than ever” and there was no need to “panic” despite Arsenal’s season hanging in the balance.

The Quadruple has suddenly become a Double which in any other season would be regarded as a huge achievement. But the bigger worry is about blowing it all.

Back-to-back defeats to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and then the FA Cup exit at Southampton has resulted in nerves creeping in no matter what Arteta says.

The 52,000 capacity Estadio Jose Alvalade is a daunting place to come at the best of times but Sporting could smell blood. It was louder than ever and their home record has been hugely impressive.

Sporting had won all five Champions League home games this season - which has included beating reigning European champions Paris Saint Germain - and they have enjoyed 17 home wins on the spin.

Gyokeres was back at the club where he enjoyed two incredibly prolific seasons - 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting - and, rather unnervingly, got a good reception when he came out for the pre-match warn-up.

This is also unusual territory for Sporting as this was only their second Champions League quarter final and they have never got as far as the last four.

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Whatever happened in Arsenal’s last two games, there was still a huge opportunity in this tie but Sporting could sense the nerves in Arteta’s men.

Sporting turned up the volume - and the pressure. Ousmane Diomande split in Arsenal’s creaky defence with a brilliant pass, Maxi Araújo then hit a scorching 20 yard shot which keeper David Raya touched onto the crossbar.

It was a hell of a let-off. But maybe it also served as a wake-up call. It felt like Arsenal did their best to slow the game down, quieten the home crowd and take control of possession.

They were also back to their old reliable tactic: set-pieces. Noni Madueke bent in a corner, Sporting keeper Rui Silva missed the ball and it hit the bar. Martin Odegaard flashed a shot wide on the follow-up.

Arsenal did not actually manage a shot on target until the 42nd minute and Odegaard’s shot was comfortably saved by Silva. But actually Arsenal had grown into the game after their nervy start.

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Now it was the Sporting fans who were beginning to get frustrated and annoyed. They whistled as Arsenal began to rack up the corner count and then take an eternity before actually putting the ball into the box.

The travelling Arsenal fans, marooned up in the heavens, were making themselves heard as Noni Madueke did his best with his set-pieces while Odegaard tried to orchestrate the game.

Martin Zubimendi had the ball in the net and Arsenal’s night seemed to be getting better. But VAR intervened and it was ruled out for a clear offside against Gyokeres in the build-up.

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But Arsenal were beginning to look like their old selves again. They were looking calm, controlled and back to the team which put themselves in this position in the first place.

And after Havertz's last-gasp heroics, Arsenal finally had something to celebrate with their fans as they now look in pole position to reach the semi finals with the season now looking on the up again.

The Mirror’s Chief Football Writer John Cross was in attendance at the Estádio José Alvalade to rate the Arsenal players performances.

David Raya

Fantastic early saves to defy Sporting. Laid the foundations for the late winner. 8

Ben White

Looks susceptible and vulnerable. Sporting clearly targeted him for his lack of confidence. 5

William Saliba

Had a real physical battle with Sporting’s forwards and largely came out on top. 7

Gabriel

His 250th Arsenal appearance and has grown into being such an influential player. 7

Riccardo Calafiori

This was the exciting side of Calafiori - bombing forward, inverting and driving the game. 7

Martin Zubimendi

Better. His recent dip in form has been a worry but stuck to his task and was cruelly denied a really nice goal. 6

Declan Rice

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Returned from injury after international duty and you could sense his influence. Calm, quality and tenacity. 7

Martin Odegaard

Looked hungry and determined, the Arsenal captain was always busy and looking for the ball. 7

Noni Madueke

Lively and determined, he caused problems down the right and delivered good set-pieces. 8

Leandro Trossard

So quiet and subdued. Struggled to make things happen and looked way below his best. 5

Viktor Gyokeres

Got a good reception on his homecoming but lacked the threat he showed with Sporting. 6

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Kai Havertz (for Odegaard, 70): How often is it him? Coolest man in Lisbon to break home fans' hearts. 8

Gabriel Martinelli (for Trossard, 76): Brilliant piece of invention to create Havertz's winner. 7

Max Dowman (for Madueke, 76): Didn't have long to make an impact. 6

UNUSED SUBS: Arrizabalaga, Ranson, Mosquera, Lewis-Skelly, Salmon, Norgaard, Jesus.