Sporting CP centre-back Jeremiah St. Juste shows insane recovery pace to stop Gabriel Martinelli

Sporting CP centre-back Jeremiah St. Juste proved EA Sports were right to give him 93 pace on the latest edition of FIFA after he produced an incredible recovery run to stop Gabriel Martinelli.

The 26-year-old defender played a crucial role in their Europa League clash against Arsenal on Thursday night, putting in a number of game-saving tackles at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

And with Sporting 2-1 up thanks to goals from Goncalo Inacio and Paulinho, the former Feyenoord and Heerenveen man saved the Portuguese outfit from conceding with a wonderful challenge.

As you can see in the clip below, Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli managed to wriggle away from three Sporting players in the 58th minute.

Incredible run from Martinelli! 💥

That tackle from Jeremiah St. Juste though 😮‍💨#UEL pic.twitter.com/FWuGyx5WRw

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2023

But after showing a serious burst of speed, St. Juste managed to stop Martinelli in impressive fashion.

Here's how fans reacted to the defender's pace during the Europa League round of 16 clash.

One said: "Fifa pace merchant," while another commented: "Look how fast he sprints back madness."

A third wrote: "If Jeremiah St. Juste can stay fit, the €9.5m that Sporting paid for him is going to look like a bargain. Really strong performance in the first half against Arsenal — done well to intercept attacks as well as bomb forward and offer an overlap."

A fourth added: "That recovery pace from St Juste was wild."

Ahead of the tie, St. Juste said he was excited to come up against the Premier League leaders.

"I think it will be a great game," he said. "Arsenal are top of the Premier League and being able to play against the best teams is important. It will be an excellent game.

"I am confident it will be an exciting game with great players. I expect to face a team that wants to win, that will press, that is dynamic and will have quality on the ball."

Arsenal will be happy to take a point against Ruben Amorim's side, despite going ahead in the game thanks to a William Saliba header.

Goncalo Inacio equalised for the Portuguese outfit and striker Paulinho put Sporting ahead before the hour mark, but an unfortunate own goal from Hidemasa Morita levelled the scores.

Arsenal get themselves back in it! ✨

A wicked deflection but the Gunners will take that ✅#UEL pic.twitter.com/oso6Fdh6D1

— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) March 9, 2023

Thoughts on St. Juste's pace against Arsenal on Thursday night?

Let us know in the comments.