Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has praised his team’s dominant 5-1 victory over Sporting in the Champions League, calling it “a big result.”

The Gunners started strong, netting three goals in the first half, with Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Magalhães all finding the back of the net before the break.

Sporting’s Gonçalo Inácio pulled one back early in the second half, but Arsenal quickly restored their lead with goals from Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.

Arteta, speaking to TNT Sports, expressed his satisfaction: “I’m very happy. It’s a big result against a strong opponent. We wanted to make a statement. I felt a really good energy and belief before the match. The first half was exceptional, and we had to execute it.

“We were clever, intelligent, and efficient in the way we attacked. After conceding, we showed a lot of personality to regain control and then scored the fourth, which changed the game.”