'They've now done that': Leon Osman says Arsenal did something last night that reminded him of Real Madrid
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Arsenal have sent a message to Europe’s elite with their 5-1 hammering of Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Gunners made light work of a Sporting side that hammered Manchester City just a few weeks ago and is top of the Primeira Liga table.
Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring for Arsenal in the seventh minute before Kai Havertz and Gabriel Magalhaes got themselves on the scoresheet before the first half was over.
And though Sporting pulled one back through Goncalo Inacio early in the second half, Bukayo Saka's penalty and Leandro Trossard's late goal wrapped up a statement win.
Plenty of Arsenal players shone on the night, with Gunners fans lauding Jurrien Timber’s brilliant display at right-back.
Speaking after the game, BBC Sport pundit Leon Osman shared whether he thought Arsenal were capable of going all the way in the Champions League.
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Leon Osman believes Arsenal can win Champions League
Osman, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, said he was asked at the start of the season whether the Gunners could win the Champions League, and he said yes.
He also said one criticism he previously had of Arsenal – being more positive away from home – has been chalked off by how they did at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Osman compared the way the Gunners took the game to Sporting to how the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City tend to do at times.
“I was asked at the start of the season whether I thought Arsenal were capable of winning the Champions League,” said Osman. “I said yes, I do think so.
“They need to have performances like this. They need to be more positive away from home.
“We know they can be defensively sound, but the question was whether they can really go and take the game to somebody, like Manchester City and Real Madrid do at times.
“They’ve now done that against a Sporting side that has been undefeated here for 13 months and started the season wonderfully well. They’ve absolutely dominated them in every aspect.”
Arsenal’s best European campaigns
Arsenal have won two European honours, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970 and the Cup Winners’ Cup in 1994.
In addition, the Gunners became the first London team to appear in a Champions League final, in 2006.
Arsenal also reached the final of the UEFA Cup in 2000 and the Europa League in 2019.
The Gunners certainly have what it takes to go a long way in the Champions League this season.
