The first leg of the Europa League last 16 match between Sporting CP and Arsenal has ended in a two-all draw at Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal.
Mikel Arteta made five changes to the team that started in the dramatic 3-2 win over Bournemouth over the weekend and they started this match on the front foot.
The Gunners got the opener in the 22nd minute through a header from William Saliba after the French defender rising the highest to nod home a Fabio Vieira corner kick.
Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner had shaky feet and made a couple of blunders but Sporting failed to capitalize on them. They eventually found the equalizer similar to Arsenal’s when Gonçalo Inácio headed home a corner kick in the 34th minute. The match went into the halftime break each team counting one goal.
In the second half, Arsenal piled more pressure on Sporting’s defense in search of the second goal, but fell to the opponent’s precise interchange of passes that saw Marcus Edwards playing in Inácio. His effort was saved by Turner but fell on Paulinho who made no mistake but tap the ball into the back of the net in the 55th minute.
The hosts lead didn’t last long though as the Gunners found the equalizer seven minutes later when Xhaka’s cross deflected onto Hidemasa Morita to beat goalkeeper Antonio Adan on its way to the back of the net.
The goal, which counted as an own goal for Morita, was confirmed by VAR after a check on a possible foul during the buildup.
There were missed chances by both teams that ensured the match ended in a two-goal stalemate.
The second leg which will decide who advances to the quarterfinals of this competition will be played next week on Thursday at Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium in London.
