Bukayo Saka scored a goal and set up another as Arsenal beat Portuguese side Sporting 5-1 in their Champions League clash at Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday, their biggest away win in the competition in 21 years.

Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal an early lead before Kai Havertz and Brazilian defender Gabriel scored two more goals before half-time and Arsenal overwhelmed the hosts.

Goncalo Inacio pulled a goal back for Sporting early in the second period, but Saka restored Arsenal’s three-goal lead with a penalty and Leandro Trossard secured the fifth goal for their biggest away win in the Champions League since winning with the same result at Inter Milan in 2003.

Arsenal moved ahead of Sporting into seventh place in the 36-team table with 10 points from five games. The Portuguese have the same number of points but are one position behind on goal difference.

After a bit of a slump in recent weeks, Arsenal have picked up two wins in a row and look to be back to their best, with some of their performances in Lisbon simply outstanding.

They had a lot of fun on the right wing and their first two goals both came from attacks on that side.

Jurrien Timber’s low cross eluded everyone and gave Martinelli the opportunity at the back post to put the visitors ahead within seven minutes.

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Arsenal continued to set the pace and deservedly doubled their lead midway through the first half when Saka burst into the box and slotted the ball past Sporting goalkeeper Franco Israel, giving Havertz another easy finish.

Sporting’s lively 17-year-old winger Geovany Quenda forced a fine save from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya just before half-time, marking a rare foray forward for the hosts, but they fell even further behind in the final seconds of the half.

Defender Gabriel scored from Declan Rice’s corner to put his side further ahead and few could argue that Arsenal had made the most of their 3-0 lead.

They would have hoped for a relaxed start to the second half, but instead allowed Sporting their way back into the game.

Francisco Trincao’s corner was met at the front post by Inacio, who volleyed the ball into the net to give his team a lifeline.

Arsenal were by no means dominant in the second period, but earned a penalty when Martin Ødegaard was fouled from behind by Ousmane Diomande and Saka coolly fired the penalty into the bottom right corner.

Substitute Trossard added the fifth goal with a header after Israel could only deflect a long-range shot from Mikel Merino into his path.