LISBON, Portugal (AFP) — Arsenal extended their renaissance with a ruthless 5-1 defeat of Sporting Lisbon to strengthen their bid to reach the UEFA Champions League last 16 on Tuesday.

Mikel Arteta’s side ended a three-match winless run in all competitions by beating Nottingham Forest 3-0 in the English Premier League at the weekend.

And the Gunners capitalized on this success with an even more dynamic performance at the José Alvalade stadium.

Gabriel Martinelli gave Arsenal an early lead, then Kai Havertz increased their advantage before Gabriel Magalhaes struck just before half-time.

Goncalo Inacio grabbed one back for Sporting but Bukayo Saka’s penalty highlighted the class gap between the teams.

Leandro Trossard scored late to give Arsenal five away goals in a Champions League match for the first time since 2008.

Arsenal’s third win in five Champions League matches this season lifted them to seventh place, with the top eight teams in the revamped tournament earning automatic qualification for the last 16.

Sporting’s first defeat in Europe’s elite club competition this season puts them below Arsenal on goal difference.

Arsenal are nine points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool after their slump, but this swaggering effort suggests they are finally back in the groove.

Arteta had challenged Arsenal to make a statement against Sporting, and they responded emphatically.

The Londoners’ first away Champions League victory in six attempts was a welcome tonic after a 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan in their last European match.

Arsenal’s impressive performance was all the more remarkable as Sporting crushed Manchester City 4-1 in their final Champions League match under Ruben Amorim, who has since taken charge of Manchester United.

Joao Pereira replaced Amorim at the helm of Sporting, but he was unable to maintain his unbeaten start to the season as the Portuguese champions were beaten for the first time in 19 games in all competitions.

It took Martinelli just seven minutes to give Arsenal the lead.

Jurrien Timber’s low cross was perfectly weighted and the Brazilian slid in to apply the finish inside the penalty area.

Unlike City’s capitulation to Sporting earlier in November, Arteta’s men were in charge.

They picked apart Sporting’s defense again in the 22nd minute as Thomas Partey’s incisive pass spotted Saka’s run beyond the hosts’ squeaking offside trap.

Saka guided a precise pass into the Sporting area and Havertz timed his run perfectly to head home from close range.

Sporting finally forced a save from David Raya when 17-year-old Geovany Quenda unleashed a fierce strike which the Arsenal keeper tipped over.

But Gabriel scored his first Champions League goal just before half-time.

Arsenal’s set-piece prowess was on full display as the Brazilian defender rose highest to power his header past Franco Israel from Declan Rice’s corner.

Gabriel scored the goal with a cheeky celebration imitating the eye-shielding gesture used by Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres when he scores.

This incendiary gesture briefly woke Sporting from their slumber and Inacio reduced the gap two minutes after half-time.

Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori fell asleep in a corner and Inacio took advantage to head past Raya from close range.

Sporting needed another goal quickly to put Arsenal under real pressure, but it was the visitors who struck again in the 65th minute.

Ousmane Diomandé’s lunge tripped Martin Odegaard in the box and Saka slotted his penalty into the corner of the net.

Trossard sealed Arsenal’s demolition job in the 82nd minute, nodding home after Israel pushed away Mikel Merino’s shot.