
<p>After a thrilling <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/arsenal-sporting-draw-in-europa-league-first-leg-20230309-WST-422884.html">2-2 draw</a> in the first leg of their <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/europa-league-tv-schedule/">Europa League</a> round of 16 tie, Arsenal and Sporting faced off again at the Emirates on Thursday. This game, much like the first, was end to end throughout, with both sides playing aggressive.</p>



<p>For much of the game, Sporting looked the two more likely to score. The Portuguese side not only ripped more shots in the direction of Aaron Ramsdale. Many of the chances created came oh so close. In the first half, though, they all were left wanting. </p>



<p>Instead, it was Arsenal that grabbed the opener. And, at that time, it poised to be a similar showing for what Arsenal does in the Premier League. Grab the lead, dominate possession and shut the game down. Yet, two first-half substitutions due to injury would make that task more challenging. </p>



<p>Jorginho played an inch-perfect pass into the run of Gabriel Martinelli. The Brazilian’s attempt met the leg of Adán in goal. However, the rebound came out perfectly to Granit Xhaka, who lashed the ball across the box and into the far corner of the net. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Granit Xhaka reacts the fastest and Arsenal have the lead. 🤩<br><br>Jorginho&apos;s pass in the build up. 🥶 <a href="https://t.co/3nU2N18RM1">pic.twitter.com/3nU2N18RM1</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1636463834457337856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>After that, both sides had strong chances. Gabriel Jesus smacked the gloves of Antonio Adán after a clever run through the Sporting defense. Then, just before halftime, Sporting fired one of its many shots just wide of the post.</p>



<p>That was a theme on the night. Sporting had the mentality to shoot, even if most never required action from Aaron Ramsdale.</p>



<h5>Stunning strike brings Sporting level</h5>



<p>It only took one of those attempts on target to make the difference for Sporting. Few could have expected such an audacious attempt, though. </p>



<p>Pedro Gonçalves claimed a loose ball at the halfway line. He took it just over five yards into the Arsenal half and let fly. The camera brought in a backpedaling Aaron Ramsdale, but the ball kept floating in the air. It eventually tucked in just under the crossbar, despite Aaron Ramsdale flailing his hands at the ball.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">PEDRO GONÇALVES CAUGHT AARON RAMSDALE OFF OF HIS LINE!<br><br>ASTONISHING GOAL! 😳 <a href="https://t.co/DohIEkSiBt">pic.twitter.com/DohIEkSiBt</a></p>— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1636479460391424001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 16, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>After that, Sporting collected more and more chances. The best of those was a breakaway from Marcus Edwards. The Tottenham Hotspur academy product had a chance to sink a club he surely has disdain for. However, the face of <a href="https://twitter.com/CBSSportsGolazo/status/1636481780026077184">Aaron Ramsdale denied the shot</a>.</p>



<p>The game reached extra time in search of a winner.</p>



<h2>Arsenal and Sporting go beyond the 90 in Europa League</h2>



<p>Leandro Trossard had the first major chance of the additional 30 minutes. However, Adán met the challenge. The goalkeeper came out to meet the Belgian on the breakaway, throwing out a right fist that deflected the attempt. The ball then squirmed right and clamored off the post.</p>



<p>Adán would prove to be, on multiple occasions, the difference in this game. Not only did he have more splendid saves in extra time. He had an all-important save when the 120 minutes concluded.</p>



<p>With both clubs perfect from 12 yards, Gabriel Martinelli stepped up for Arsenal. In what was a weak effort, Adán saved the waist-high shot to his left. That put Sporting on the cusp of advancing. </p>



<p>Nuno Santos put his attempt away, giving the visitors the win, 5-3 on penalties, after a 3-3 score on aggregate.</p>



<p>A silver lining for Arsenal? It can now focus solely on the Premier League title race. The Gunners’ biggest rival, Manchester City, still has eyes on the FA Cup, Champions League and Premier League.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


After drawing 2-2 in Portugal, Sporting and Arsenal put together another fantastic display in the Europa League round of 16.

Arsenal and Sporting go the distance in Europa League classic


<p><a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/switzerland-national-team-tv-schedule/">Switzerland</a> grabbed the final spot of the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/category/world-cup-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">2022 World Cup</a> knockout phase on Friday with a win over Serbia. The European team entered the day holding the second spot of Group G, as <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/brazil-national-team-tv-schedule/">Brazil</a> already locked up a place in the next phase. <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/nations/serbia-national-team-tv-schedule/">Serbia</a>, needing a win to advance in the competition, did not make it easy for the Swiss squad.</p>



<p>Xerdan Shaqiri, Breel Embolo and Remo Freuler were on the scoresheet on the night as Switzerland beat Serbia, 3-2. There were two different lead changes in the massive match. Serbia fought back with two goals inside nine minutes, but couldn’t keep the Swiss out of goal in the end.</p>



<h2>Switzerland and Serbia full of skirmishes</h2>



<p>The game was feisty from start to finish. There were 31 totals fouls and 11 yellow cards handed out by the referee. Multiple clashes between players on both sides broke out throughout the duration of the fixture as well. </p>



<p>Arsenal midfielder Granit Xhaka was at the middle of the skirmishes a few times in the second half. The Swiss captain even received a yellow card for incidents involving two different Serbian players in added time.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Switzerland advances to the knockout stages after a FIFA World Cup classic against Serbia 🇨🇭👏<br><br>Relive all the CRAZY back-and-forth moments in our 90&apos; in 90" highlights ⬇️ <a href="https:\/\/t.co/8MxZa2m55T">pic.twitter.com/8MxZa2m55T</a></p>— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) <a href="https:\/\/twitter.com/FOXSoccer/status/1598789776999489536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 2, 2022</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https:\/\/platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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<p>These two teams have a bit of an interesting history together. Serbia and Switzerland also matched up in the 2018 World Cup in Russia. The Swiss won this matchup as well. </p>



<p>However, the main talking point in that particular game was how Shaqiri and Xhaka celebrated their goals. Each <a href="https:\/\/theathletic.com/3956860/2022/12/02/switzerland-shaqiri-xhaka-world-cup-serbia/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">formed an eagle with their hands</a> and sticking out their tongues. This was to symbolize the flag of Albania, which both players have roots to. Serbia and Kosovo have had tension since the Yugoslav Wars of the 1990s.</p>



<h5>Brazil keeps top spot despite loss</h5>



<p>Elsewhere in the group, Brazil ended up losing to Cameroon thanks to a goal by Vincent Aboubakar in the 92nd minute of the match. The defeat, however, ultimately did not mean much. The Brazilians still finished top of their group.</p>



<p>Switzerland will now face on Portugal in the knockout round on Tuesday. Brazil, on the other hand, play South Korea on Monday.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Xinhua</em></p>


Switzerland wins thrilling World Cup match against Serbia 3-2 in matchup against two teams that have an interesting rivalry.

Switzerland clinches knockout spot despite Serbia surge

<div id="attachment_362953" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-362953" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images</p></div>
<p>Arsenal’s youth project dominated headlines to start the season.</p>
<p>An expensive, but young, batch of <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/09/02/grading-europes-biggest-clubs-on-their-transfer-window-signings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">transfer acquisitions</a> provided the Gunners the youngest squad in the Premier League. Mikel Arteta had the options at his disposal for natural development of players. The question remained as to how well they would fit in with the squad.</p>
<p>Once again, the highest-paid player at Arsenal is in exile. This time around, it’s probably for the best.</p>
<h5>Poor Leadership</h5>
<p>Mikel Arteta left Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of the matchday squad against Southampton on December 11. The Athletic reported Arteta made the decision due to the striker returning late from a trip abroad.</p>
<p>Moreover, this is not Aubameyang’s first punishment for off-the-field issues. Last season, Aubameyang failed to crack the starting lineup for the North London Derby because of disciplinary reasons. Arsenal went on to <a href="https:\/\/www.espn.com/soccer/lineups?gameId=578388" target="_blank" rel="noopener">defeat Tottenham, 2-1</a>.</p>
<p>Since Aubmeyang’s recent dismissal, the Gunners picked up nine points in three games. A&nbsp; against Southampton, top-four challengers West Ham and Leeds. The club stripped Aubameyang <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/12/14/aubameyang-stripped-of-arsenal-captaincy/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">of his captaincy</a> after the Southampton game.</p>
<p>Next month, the Gabonese international will go to Cameroon to play in the African Cup of Nations. His current banishment from the club helps the team play fluid, attacking soccer instead of always looking for the 2018-19 Premier League Golden Boot winner to score.</p>
<h3>Arsenal’s youth project in action</h3>
<p>Forward Gabriel Martinelli is the biggest beneficiary from decision to bench Aubameyang. The 2020 Olympic gold medalist has started in five of their last six matches and contributed four goals, two against Leeds, and two assists. Manager Mikel Arteta is impressed with his development. He spoke highly of the Brazilian following the Leeds game.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“He’s come a long, long way because his energy, his passion, his commitment, it doesn’t get much better than that ever, but there are other aspects in the game that he’s had to develop and maintain the ones that he’s exceptional at, like today, because when he has chances, he puts them away.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>England internationals Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe also scored against the West Yorkshire-based club. The occasion marked the first time three Gunners aged 21 or younger scored in the same Premier League match.</p>
<p>While the youngsters are playing well, they are given the freedom to play because of a wily veteran.</p>
<h5>The Resurgence</h5>
<p>It is harsh, but, generally speaking, Alexandre Lacazette is a flop since his arrival at the Emirates. Arsene Wenger dropped a hefty <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/alexandre-lacazette/transfers/spieler/93720" target="_blank" rel="noopener">$58 million</a> for the Frenchman’s services in 2017.</p>
<p>Now, he is in the last year of his contract, but he is essential to the team’s attack. The Frenchman scores the occasional goal. His strengths are his hold-up play, his link-up play with the forwards and creating space for the midfielders to play in the final third. Essentially, it is the things that do not appear on the scoresheet that allow Lacazette to contribute to Arteta’s side.</p>
<p>In what is now his fifth season, Lacazette failed to live up to his goal-scoring prowess he exhibited at Lyon. In the Leeds game, Lacazette picked up his <a href="https:\/\/www.transfermarkt.us/alexandre-lacazette/leistungsdaten/spieler/93720/plus/0?saison=2021" target="_blank" rel="noopener">100th goal contribution</a> with an assist, arriving in his 186th game with the club. A decent output, certainly, but he must continue to find his role in Arteta’s side. After all, he assumed the captaincy of that Leeds contest.</p>
<p>Martin Ødegaard has thrived with Lacazette leading the line. The Norwegian has two assists in the last three games while giving the club a dose of creativity they haven’t had since Mesut Ozil.</p>
<p>In the summer, Arsenal revamped their transfer policy by signing six players who were 23 and younger. Goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale and defenders Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu solidify the backline. Additionally, left-back Nuno Tavares and Albert Sambi Lokonga provide depth via rotational toles. While the team is getting younger, veterans are still needed to provide experience and leadership.</p>
<h5>Redemption</h5>
<p>Granit Xhaka shares the burden of losing the captaincy of Arsenal. In the summer, it seemed like he was headed to Roma to play for Jose Mourinho. Instead, the Swiss international signed a new contract. Fortunately for him and Arsenal, his performances set him as one of the best midfielders for the Gunners in this campaign. Since returning from injury, Xhaka started in every match and his all-around play is crucial.</p>
<blockquote><p>“<em>We have a lot of young players, and you can see the hunger in them. But as well, the experienced players like me, like Thomas (Partey) for example in the middle, we have to take them to the side, we have to speak with them,” </em>Xhaka told The Independent.</p></blockquote>
<h5>Patience</h5>
<p>While Arsenal’s youth project is already paying dividends, Mikel Artets must keep everything in perspective. It becomes dangerous when there is an overreliance on players who are still developing. This is especially the case at FC Barcelona, where an overuse of Pedri in 2020/21 yielded an injury sidelining the midfielder for practically this entire campaign thus far.</p>
<p>Arteta understands this and knows it is his duty to protect them.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“There’s no point exposing a player even when there’s a lot of opinions that it has to be done because it won’t be beneficial for the player. And in the end, we are here to protect the player and develop the players that we have in the best possible way.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>As of now, Aubameyang does not look like he will feature for the club in the foreseeable future. He can learn from Xhaka and see that he can find his way back into the team if he is willing to change his ways. Arsenal are currently fourth place and will try to get back into the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/champions-league-tv-schedule/">Champions League</a> for the first time since 2016. With Arsenal’s youth movement paving the way, that goal is within reach approaching the halfway point in the season.</p>
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Arsenal's youth project seemed like a bold play at the start of the season, but it could set up Arsenal for the future, and the present.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "Granit Xhaka"

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