Gunners unable to overcome Sporting in thrilling encounter

Arsenal played out a 2-2 draw with a spirited Sporting side in the UEFA Europa League round of 16, first-leg clash. 

The Gunners needed a lucky break in the form of an own-goal by Sporting midfielder Hidemasa Morita to avoid defeat.

Arsenal dominated much of the first 20 minutes and got their reward when William Saliba rose highest to head home a corner from Fabio Vieira.

Mikel Arteta’s men showed a bit of complacency after taking the lead which led to two good chances for Sporting.  

The home side roared back with an equaliser on the half-hour mark thanks to Goncalo Inacio who made Arsenal goalkeeper Matt Turner pay for his indecision with a close-range header.

Sporting started the second half looking more aggressive and took the lead on 55 minutes when Paulhino tapped in a rebound. 

The 30-year-old striker then squandered a golden opportunity to extend Sporting's lead with a wayward finish.

Arsenal threw men forward in search of an equaliser and the visitors levelled matters when Granit Xhaka’s shot hit Hidemasa Morita and flew into the net. 

Both sides tried hard for a winner, but it finished at 2-2, leaving the tie in fine balance heading into the second leg at Emirates Stadium on March 16.

Saliba capped another solid defensive display for Arsenal with his first goal in Europe and it was a thumping header that gave the keeper no chance. A brilliant performance from start to finish.