I once saved my team-mate’s life and conceded three pens in one game but I’m ready to be Arsenal pantomime villain again
SEBASTIAN COATES is a player who will be familiar to many Arsenal fans.
He spent six years in the Premier League with spells at Liverpool and Sunderland but never really established himself in the top flight.
A move to Sporting Lisbon followed in 2017 and Coates has had quite the experience in Portugal.
He has become a key player under Ruben Amorim and captained them to their first league title for 19 years in 2021.
Coates, 32, also became a hero in 2018 when he prevented his team-mate Romain Salin from choking on the pitch.
The goalkeeper was knocked unconcious after colliding with the post but Coates reacted immediately and managed to clear his airwaves so he could breathe.
Coates also gestured to the physio team who rushed on to the field to aid Salin.
A year later the Uruguyan went from hero to zero after conceding three penalties in one game against Rio Ave.
Sporting lost the game 3-2 and had been leading before Coates gave away two spot-kicks in the last five minutes, while he was sent off to add insult to injury.
The centre-back was also fortunate not to see red the last time Arsenal visited Sporting’s José Alvalade Stadium in October 2018.
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In added time at the end of Arsenal’s 1-0 win Coates reacted angrily to ex-Gooner Stephan Lichsteiner and appeared to headbutt the former defender.
Arsenal fans vented their fury on social media after the match and called for Coates to receive a ban, but he escaped punishment.
The defender could look to be the pantomime villain once again tonight as Mikel Arteta’s side visit in the Europa League Round of 16.
He has failed to win in five matches against Arsenal but has impressed in Europe this season, helping his side keep a clean sheet in Champions League games against Tottenham and Eintracht Frankfurt.
Coates has even showed a goalscoring touch, scoring in both of his Europa League appearances in the play-off round against FC Midtjylland.