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Arsenal's Europa League campaign came to an end on Thursday night as Sporting Lisbon got the better of a tense penalty shoot-out to book their place in the quarter-finals.
After a 2-2 draw in last week's first leg, Granit Xhaka fired the Gunners ahead 19 minutes into their last-16 decider at The Emirates, before Pedro Goncalves equalised for the visitors with a sensational long-range effort 17 minutes after half time.
The tie eventually went to penalties, and after seven perfect efforts Gabriel Martinelli missed what proved the decisive spot-kick, allowing Nuno Santos to stroke home the winner.
Here, Sportsmail's LEWIS STEELE takes a look at what you may have missed from the game.
Sporting Lisbon beat Arsenal on penalties in their Europa League last-16 decider on Thursday
European blow may be blessing in disguise for Gunners
At what point of the season were Arsenal and Mikel Arteta to start seeing the Europa League as a hindrance to their Premier League title push? Maybe this loss will be seen as a positive.
There’s a long-standing debate whether advancing in cup competitions can breathe confidence and build a winning DNA for the team, or whether they are ultimately detrimental.
As two key Arsenal players limped off in the first half and Gabriel Jesus did not return for the second period, one definitely leant towards the latter argument.
This was a bruising night for the Gunners regardless of the result, especially noting those injuries to Takehiro Tomiyasu and William Saliba.
Win and they would have two more Thursday night games to sandwich into a packed schedule. But this loss might inflict a huge dent in confidence in their title tilt. They were second best.
While it was a disappointing night for the Gunners, their European exit could turn out to be a blessing in disguise
Mikel Arteta and his team can now focus entirely on their bid to win the Premier League title
Sporting light up north
