As time ticked down towards this tea-time kick-off, as the players emerged from the tunnel, huge sections of this ageing arena lay silent and empty. Not many fans. Not much atmosphere or electricity, either.
An hour later, once chaos had taken centre stage and this Europa League last-16 first leg had descended into frenzy, this place had become a hive of noise and anarchy. Somehow, at the end of it all, Arsenal and Sporting were on terms.
Somehow, they had shared only four goals.
And how Arsenal will take that. They head into next week’s second leg in command without ever really being in control.