Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal: Hidemasa Morita own goal salvages first leg draw for Gunners ahead of Emirates return

William Saliba was on target as Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw at Sporting CP in the first leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie. The French defender nodded in Fabio Vieira’s corner on 22 minutes to open the scoring and net his third goal for the Gunners. Ad However, the visitors fell asleep at a similar set piece just past the half hour and Goncalo Inacio made goalkeeper Matt Turner pay for his indecision with a thumping close-range header.

Premier LeagueArteta bursting with pride after ‘mad’ Arsenal comeback04/03/2023 AT 18:02 Mikel Arteta had made six changes to the side that beat Bournemouth in dramatic fashion at the weekend and it showed as the away side lacked tempo, cohesion and rhythm for large spells of the encounter. Sporting stole in front on 55 minutes when Paulhino tapped in a rebound and the 30-year-old striker then squandered a gilt-edged chance to extend his side’s lead. It would prove costly as within a minute the Gunners had levelled when Granit Xhaka’s speculative cross-shot hit Hidemasa Morita and flew into the opposite corner.

Both sides pressed for a winner but it was not be, leaving the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg at Emirates Stadium on March 16. Next up, Arsenal will return to Premier League action on Sunday when they visit Fulham. Sporting host Boavista in the Portuguese Primeira Liga.

Europa League tables Europa League fixtures/results Europa League top scorers Talking point An under-strength Arsenal remain favourites. Arteta gave some of his fringe players an opportunity to impress with the likes of Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson stepping up to the plate. There were a few areas of concern with many observers suggesting Turner could have done better with both goals.