Arsenal‘s Europa League last-16 draw with Sporting Lisbon is finely poised after the Gunners secured a 2-2 draw in Thursday’s first leg at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
The match had William Saliba starting the goal scoring with a header from Fábio Vieira’s corner before Sporting scored a like goal at the other end 12 minutes later as Gonçalo Inácio glanced home Marcus Edwards’ delivery.
Paulinho gave the home side the lead 10 minutes after the restart before Gabriel Martinelli almost scored a sublime solo goal, dribbling from inside his own half and rounding Sporting goalkeeper Antonio Adan, only for Jeremiah St. Juste to make a last-ditch save. Arsenal restored parity in 62 minutes when Sporting CP‘s Hidemasa Morita had the misfortune of diverting Granit Xhaka’s pass into his own net.
With the tie, the second leg will hold on Thursday with Arsenal hoping they can secure their place in the quarterfinals for the fourth time in six seasons.
Arsenal looks confident next week to finish the match victorious and reach the quarterfinals.
It would have been expected to think in August that the Europa League was one of Arsenal’s best chances of success, but now that they have a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League, changes to the starting line-up were perhaps inevitable with Fulham to come in league play on Sunday.
Arsenal coach Mikel Arteta made six changes which were as a result of illness, striking Martin Odegaard and Kieran Tierney while Leandro Trossard (groin) and Eddie Nketiah (ankle) also left back in London. And despite a flurry of excitement, Gabriel Jesus also did not travel as he nears a return from knee surgery.
Jakub Kiwior was handed his debut while Reiss Nelson came into the line-up after his last-minute heroics against Bournemouth at the weekend.
There was also heightened tension in Arsenal’s game, especially with major top players like Gabriel, Thomas Partey, and Odegaard, not involved from start — and at 2-1 down, Paulinho missed a chance to change the score card.
Best and worst performers
Best: Marcus Edwards, Sporting CP
The former Spurs winger (although he never played for them) was involved in both goals and a regular menace to Arsenal’s backline.
Best: Sebastián Coates, Sporting CP
He helped to keep Arsenal at bay with some vital interceptions. Unfortunately, he was suspended after picking up a booking.
Best: William Saliba, Arsenal
Scored the opening goal and recovered the ball eight times, providing a solid presence to help Kiwior on his debut.
Worst: Matt Turner, Arsenal
Made a couple of reasonable saves but was shaky on more than one occasion and could arguably have shown more authority for Sporting’s first goal.
Worst: Reiss Nelson, Arsenal
Failed to build on his stunning winner against Bournemouth.
Worst: Jakub Kiwior, Arsenal
Perhaps he received a call from Turner to leave the ball for Sporting’s opening goal but it looked like a bad error to watch.
