Mikel Arteta has hailed Arsenal’s victory over Sporting CP as a landmark win.
The Gunners ran out 5-1 winners against the Portuguese champions on Tuesday night to put an end to their poor run away from home in Europe.
The victory was Arsenal’s first on the road in the Champions League since October last year, while they also found the net after failing to score in their previous four away European games.
And asked if it was a landmark win for his side, Arteta said: “For sure, because the performance was there a few times.
“And when we have played big teams, we played PSG and we were exceptional again. We played Bayern and were exceptional. We made some mistakes and it cost us.
“Now it’s Inter, now it’s this level. That’s the level that we have to be able to cope [with].
“You have to make it happen and then that creates belief. It creates the next one and the players will be better prepared. And that’s what we need, the consistency, because the ability to do it is there.”
Arsenal scored five goals against Sporting – the first time they have managed that away from home in the Champions League for 16 years.
The Gunners have struggled on the road under Arteta in Europe, especially in the Champions League, and this was a statement win.
And asked if it was the best European away performance of his time as Arsenal boss, Arteta said: “For sure, especially against the opponent that we played.
“In their home, I don’t think they’ve lost a game in 18 months. They’ve been in top form, they’ve been better than anybody they have played here.
“So, to play to the level, with the determination, the purpose, the fluidity that we’ve done today, very pleased.”
