ARSENAL and Sporting have drawn 2-2 in a thrilling Europa League clash in Lisbon.
William Saliba headed the Gunners ahead before Inacio and Paulinho goals saw Sporting fight back.
Granit Xhaka’s deflected cross levelled the tie as the Premier League table-toppers finished the game stronger.
They meet again next Thursday with the tie all square.
- Result: Sporting 2 Arsenal 2
- Sporting XI: Adan, St. Juste, Coates, Inacio, Esgaio, Pote, Morita, Matheus Reis, Edwards, Paulinho, Trincao.
- Arsenal XI: Turner, White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Xhaka, Jorginho, Nelson, Fabio Vieira, Saka, Martinelli
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FT: Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal drew 2-2 with Sporting Lisbon in the Europa League Last 16 at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
The Gunners opened the scoring on 22 minutes when Fabio Vieira’s corner delivery from the right found the unmarked William Saliba, who picked up a comfortable header.
But Ruben Amorim’s men equalised after 34 minutes when ex-Tottenham ace Marcus Edwards’ corner from the right found Goncalo Inacio, whose stunning back header beat Matt Turner.
The hosts turned the game on its head in the 55th minute with Paulinho.
Edwards played Pedro Goncalves through with a wonderful ball and the midfielder’s shot was saved by Turner but Paulinho got the rebound and scored in front of open goal.
However, Arsenal equalised seven minutes later when Hidemasa Morita accidentally sent the ball to his own net after trying to block Granit Xhaka’s pass to Gabriel Martinelli
Credit: Reuters FT: Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Peep!
That’s full-time in Lisbon!!!
90+3 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Chance!
Arsenal star Saka tries a late long-range shot but Adan picks it up with ease
90 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Four more minutes of stoppage time to go.
Arsenal boss Arteta is yelling from the touchline with several gestures
89 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Substitution
Sporting boss Amorim makes a late change as Fatawu comes on for Edwards
88 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Chance
Arsenal star Partey tries a long-range shot but Adan picks it up with ease
85 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Just five more minutes to go in Lisbon.
Sporting are running out of ideas
83 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Sporting are still pushing with Arsenal sitting back and waiting for an opportunity to counter.
This match does feel like it can go either way
80 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Just 10 more minutes to go in Lisbon and the score is still tied.
The hosts really want the win whereas Arsenal look content with the draw
79 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Chance!
Sporting ace Diomande tries a powerful shot shortly after his introduction and just misses Turner’s bottom right corner
78 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Sporting boss Amorim is going for the kill with his last few changes.
Time is running out, Arsenal boss Arteta should be happy with a draw in Lisbon despite the absence of away goals rules
76 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Substitution
A double change by Sporting boss Amorim as Diomande and Chermiti come on for Esgaio and Paulinho
75 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Game is back underway as St Juste is thankfully able to continue.
Only 15 more minutes to go in Lisbon
74 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Sporting ace St Juste is receiving treatment after a heavy challenge with Partey.
The defender appears to has stepped on the ground a little heavily
73 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal boss Arteta made a clever change with Gabriel replacing Kiwior.
The Spaniard’s starting centre-backs are now paired up after a few minutes of disarray that allowed some dangerous Sporting counter-attacks
71 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Substitution
Sporting boss Amorim responds with a change of his own with Santos replacing Trincao
71 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Substitution
As expected, Arteta makes a triple change with Partey, Gabriel and Smith Rowe replacing Jorginho, Kiwior and Nelson
71 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Chance
Arsenal ace Nelson tries to emulate his Bournemouth wondergoal but completely misses the target this time
70 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal are preparing a triple change it seems.
And at a good time as they are back to dominating possession
67 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal are back at it but their defence is stretched and exposed by Sporting’s counters.
The Gunners will have to do better after Mitoma’s own goal
Credit: Reuters 64 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Chance!
Sporting Lisbon denies Vieira twice with two incredible saves within seconds!
63 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Substitution
Arsenal manager Arteta makes the first change of the match with Tomiyasu replacing Zinchenko
62 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal are back in the game in unlikely fashion!
Xhaka tries to pass the ball to Martinelli inside the area but Morita’s block sends the ball to the back of his own keeper
62 Sporting 2-2 Arsenal
Goal!
Arsenal equalise with Morita’s own goal!!!
62 Sporting 2-1 Arsenal
What a chance!
Sporting come close to a third with Paulinho breaking inside the area but fails to beat Turner one-on-one.
Poor shot!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
