Sporting 2-2 Arsenal LIVE! Europa League result, match stream, latest reaction updates today

Sporting vs Arsenal - LIVE!

After the dramatic scenes against Bournemouth last weekend, Arsenal served up yet more entertainment here in Lisbon. This was not, however, a game Mikel Arteta will remember that fondly as the Gunners battled to a 2-2 draw against Sporting in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

This was a bizarre game and one where Arsenal were lacking their usual fluency in possession. The fact Arteta made six changes probably didn’t help that, but this was still a strong side and more than good enough to beat Sporting. In the end, the Gunners needed a fortuitous own-goal by Hidemasa Morita to take a draw back to London for next week’s second leg.

Arteta will have breathed a sigh of relief at that because at times it looked like Arsenal could easily return home empty handed. Matt Turner looked shaky in goal and debutant Jakub Kiwior also looked rusty in the heart of defence. Ahead of them, the midfield was devoid of its usual cohesion.

Sporting vs Arsenal latest news

• GOAL! Own goal gifts Arsenal equaliser

• GOAL! Paulinho gives hosts the lead

• GOAL! Inacio gets Sporting level from corner

• GOAL! Saliba heads Arsenal in front

Sporting Clube de Portugal 2 - 2 Arsenal FC

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20:27 , Matt Verri

After the dramatic scenes against Bournemouth last weekend, Arsenal served up yet more entertainment here in Lisbon.

This was not, however, a game Mikel Arteta will remember that fondly as the Gunners battled to a 2-2 draw against Sporting in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

This was a bizarre game and one where Arsenal were lacking their usual fluency in possession. The fact Arteta made six changes probably didn’t help that, but this was still a strong side and more than good enough to beat Sporting.

In the end, the Gunners needed a fortuitous own-goal by Hidemasa Morita to take a draw back to London for next week’s second leg.

Arteta will have breathed a sigh of relief at that because at times it looked like Arsenal could easily return home empty handed.

Read Simon Collings’ full analysis here

Arsenal ratings

19:52 , Matt Verri

Matt Turner 5

A difficult night for the USA international. He didn’t do great on either of the goals and struggled to play out from the back the way Aaron Ramsdale does.

Jakub Kiwior 5

Not a great debut from the centre-back. Looked a little shaky in possession early on. Didn’t crown himself in glory for the first Sporting goal as he missed a header from the corner.

Read our full look at the Arsenal players here

FT: Sporting 2-2 Arsenal

19:42 , Matt Verri

All to play for heading to the Emirates next week.

Arsenal a long way from their best, but it’s a decent enough result for them.

Saliba put them in front before Sporting turned around, but that Morita own goal got Arsenal level again.

19:39 , Matt Verri

90+3 mins: Neither White or Saka seemed to be moving particularly well on that right wing as Arteta screamed at them to get back. Both trying their best not to look over.

Saka looks fine though as he then cuts inside and lets fly, straight at Adan.

19:36 , Matt Verri

90 mins: Smith Rowe looks to slide White in down the right, too much on the pass though and the full-back can’t quite keep it in play.

Four minutes added on.

19:34 , Matt Verri

88 mins: Saka tries his luck from 25 yards out, comfortable save for Adan.

Came after Vieira went down in the box, some hopeful appeals for a penalty that the referee could not have had less interest in.

19:31 , Matt Verri

84 mins: Gabriel taking far too long at the back, waiting for a pass to open up but it didn’t happen. Closed down, fortunately for him it’s out for a throw in.

As sloppy as Arsenal have looked in a while, which you can understand considering the six changes.

19:28 , Matt Verri

81 mins: Still a fairly open game, Arsenal maybe slightly more controlled since the changes but not much.

Got to feel there’s no need for them to push for a winner here and risk being caught on the break. A draw heading to the Emirates is just fine for them.

19:24 , Matt Verri

78 mins: It’s a pretty decent ball in, whistle goes again though. Tomiyasu penalised.

Sporting straight on the counter, but Arsenal get enough bodies back to force the hosts to slow down and turn back.

19:24 , Matt Verri

77 mins: White caught late, advantage played though. Or not, White stays down long enough for the referee to blow the whistle, and then the right-back jumps up. Knew exactly what he was doing.

Decent position for Smith Rowe to put something into the box.

19:20 , Matt Verri

74 mins: St Juste is down for Sporting, Arsenal eventually halt play so he can receive some treatment.

Challenged Partey and maybe twisted something in the process, looking to be his ankle causing the problem.

19:18 , Matt Verri

71 mins: Nelson blazes over the bar, will that be his final act of the night? It will indeed.

Gabriel, Partey and Smith Rowe all introduced, as Nelson, Kiwior and Jorginho all make way.

19:16 , Matt Verri

69 mins: Arsenal seeing plenty of the ball, Sporting are sitting back. A draw would be a decent enough result for the Gunners, but they’e pushing for more than that.

Tomiyasu has come on for Zinchenko, and Arsenal look set to make three more changes very shortly...

19:12 , Matt Verri

65 mins: Vieira’s header tipped over, it’s Arsenal’s turn to pile on the pressure now.

Nelson the corner taker... maybe not for long. Smashes it over everyone and straight out of play for a goal-kick.

Simon Collings at Estadio Jose Alvalade

19:10 , Matt Verri

This is such a bizarre game. Entertaining for sure, but not really the sort of match Arteta likes his teams to play.

GOAL! Sporting 2-2 Arsenal | Hidemasa Morita OG’ 62'

19:09 , Matt Verri

Arsenal level - so fortunate!

Xhaka looks to play a ball into the box, bounces off Morita and finds its way past Adan and into the bottom corner!

19:08 , Matt Verri

61 mins: Should be 3-1, Arsenal carved open.

Paulinho clean through on goal, only Turner to beat but he sends his effort miles wide. Almost impressive how badly wrong he got that.

19:05 , Matt Verri

59 mins: Nearly an incredible goal!

Martinelli picks the ball up in his own half, bundles his way through the defenders and he’s in on goal.

Goes round the goalkeeper, St Juste is there though to stop him having a tap-in. That would have been so special.

19:05 , Matt Verri

58 mins: Morita absolutely clatters into Vieira, that will be a yellow card. Like Coates, he will now be suspended for the second leg at the Emirates next week.

Home crowd as loud as they’ve been all night now, Arsenal looking increasingly vulnerable as Sporting continue to push forward.

GOAL! Sporting 2-1 Arsenal | Paulinho 55'

19:02 , Matt Verri

Sporting in front!

They’ve been pinned back in the last ten minutes or so, but they’ve taken the lead now!

Saliba does well to initially clear a ball across the face of goal, but Sporting stay on the attack. Turner with a save, can only push it back out and Paulinho has a tap-in.

Simon Collings at Estadio Jose Alvalade

19:00 , Matt Verri

Turner reminds me of when Tierney plays. He is fine, but just can’t do what Ramsdale does. And it’s the same with Tierney and Zinchenko.

18:58 , Matt Verri

52 mins: All Arsenal, playing some lovely football now.

Xhaka, Nelson and Zinchenko link up well on the left, ball clipped into the box and Martinelli heads over the bar. Couldn’t quite get up enough. Goal will come if Arsenal keep playing like this though.

18:55 , Matt Verri

49 mins: HUGE CHANCE!

Wonderful pass slipped through by Zinchenko, Martinelli in on goal but his dinked effort is kept out by Adan’s oustretched arm. Big moment.

Corner deep to Zinchenko, his volley is blocked and Sporting can clear.

18:53 , Matt Verri

47 mins: Zinchenko with a terrible pass and Sporting can break, Trincao turning away from Saka and his ball into the box is parried out by Turner.

Shot from the edge of the area is comfortable for the American. Not the start to the half Arsenal were looking for.

Simon Collings at Estadio Jose Alvalade

18:51 , Matt Verri

Ramsdale waits for Turner to come for the second-half and does a few quick drills with him. Had a word with him before players went off at the break too.

Back underway!

18:51 , Matt Verri

Up and running again in Lisbon!

How Arsenal took the lead...

18:43 , Matt Verri

Simon Collings at Estadio Jose Alvalade

18:40 , Matt Verri

Arsenal playing a bit like a team who’ve made six changes. Not quite clicking and a bit off it. Took lead through an easy set-piece goal, then let Sporting back in with a near carbon-copy. Finely balanced at the break.

HT: Sporting 1-1 Arsenal

18:35 , Matt Verri

And that’s half-time.

Arsenal fairly comfortable for most of it, aside from a sloppy start and then a five-minute spell in which they conceded.

Both goals have come from corners, not a huge amount in open play at either end.

18:33 , Matt Verri

45+2 mins: Almost a disaster from Arsenal!

Turner’s pass out isn’t great, Sporting win it on the edge of the area but they’re not alert enough to pounce on the loose ball. Would have been an open goal.

18:32 , Matt Verri

45+1 mins: Nelson brought down as he cuts inside off the left, Arsenal free-kick as we enter added-time. Three minutes of it to come.

Xhaka with a brilliant cross in, Nelson throws himself at it and catches Adan in the process. Sporting goalkeeper with a very decent impression of a man who has been mortally wounded. He was in fact barely touched.

18:29 , Matt Verri

43 mins: Neither side can defend a corner, it would appear.

Arsenal swing this one in deep, Xhaka wins the header and Adan gets down to make the save. He was very lucky, just hit his foot behind the outstretched arm on the line.

Martinelli is into the book, very soft. Referee decides that the forward stopped Adan from releasing the ball.

18:27 , Matt Verri

41 mins: Xhaka out wide to Nelson, he’s got space to run into as he drives towards the box. The space is very much not right at St Juste though, which is where Nelson runs and loses the ball.

Arsenal are dominating possession again now, having been punished for that sloppy five minutes. Vieira with the cross this time, bobbles behind for a corner.

18:24 , Matt Verri

38 mins: Arsenal responding well to that setback, back on the front foot. Ball curled to the far post, Xhaka completely free and nods it back into the six-yard box... nobody can get on the end of it in a red shirt.

At the other end, Edwards continues to threaten. Onto his left foot, fired at goal and Turner just about turns it behind for a corner. Nearly snuck under him.

Simon Collings at Estadio Jose Alvalade

18:21 , Matt Verri

Sporting with basically an exact replica of the Arsenal goal there.

GOAL! Sporting 1-1 Arsenal | Goncalo Inacio 34'

18:20 , Matt Verri

Sporting level!

That’s really poor from Arsenal. Corner swung in, right into the six-yard box but Turner stays on his line. Inacio very grateful for that decision, runs onto it and nods home from a few yards out.

18:19 , Matt Verri

33 mins: Sporting’s only real threat is coming on the counter when Arsenal give it away. They’ve got the pace to exploit that.

Edwards with the ball inside, comes to Inacio and he tries his luck from absolutely miles out. Was heading wide, but Turner makes sure and tips it behind.

18:17 , Matt Verri

31 mins: That’s not great from Turner either, as Arsenal play their way out from the back.

Edwards able to pounce and cut inside, looks to slide a cut pass through but too much on it and through to Turner.

18:14 , Matt Verri

29 mins: Saka clips a ball into the cross, easily claimed by Adan.

So, not a particularly riveting match so far but Arsenal have the lead and with it decent control of the tie.

Edwards tries to change that, dinking a cross to the back post which Turner doesn’t deal with particularly well... nobody waiting behind him for a tap-in.

18:12 , Matt Verri

26 mins: Vieira drives at the Sporting defence, brought down about 25 yards out. Coates needs to be very, very careful now he’s on a yellow.

Zinchenko standing over this, looks to fancy it. Still in a bad mood from that little shoving match. He does indeed take it, straight into the wall. Comes back to him, hammered at goal and tipped over the bar.

Simon Collings at Estadio Jose Alvalade

18:10 , Matt Verri

After games of doing repeated short corners, Arsenal open the scoring by lobbing one straight in the box.

18:09 , Matt Verri

23 mins: Bit of a confrontation in the Sporting box after that goal, Xhaka and Zinchenko involved would you believe...

Jorginho is marching Zinchenko back to the halfway line, with the left-back still shaking his head. Coates and Zinchenko have both been shown a yellow card.

GOAL! Sporting 0-1 Arsenal | William Saliba 22'

18:07 , Matt Verri

Vieira attempts to inject a bit of pace into the match but driving to the byline, has to settle for a corner instead. He’s not a particularly popular man inside the stadium, the former Porto player.

Corner swung in... and Saliba powers the header home! Arsenal take the lead in Portugal.

18:05 , Matt Verri

19 mins: Arsenal playing the ball around fairly confidently, not really able to create much in the way of clear-cut chances.

Martinelli then loses it, Saliba a bit too keen to win it back and that’s a free-kick. Low-key start to this match.

18:02 , Matt Verri

16 mins: Edwards cutting inside and out, knocks the ball off Xhaka and Sporting will have their first corner of the match. He’ll take it too.

Once the referee has had a word with Paulinho and Jorginho that is, even if neither player is listening one bit.

Sporting take it short, ends up back with the goalkeeper five seconds later. That move needs a bit of work.

17:59 , Matt Verri

13 mins: Cross into the box is just over Xhaka’s head, but it’s a lovely reverse pass to Nelson. His effort from the edge of the box is blocked.

Jeers from the home fans as Arsenal take control of possession, all of a sudden looking much, much better. That brief team-talk from Arteta has had a big impact.

17:57 , Matt Verri

11 mins: Better from the Gunners, Saka skipping away from a couple of challenges and fizzing the ball into Martinelli’s path.

The Brazilian can’t control that, but Arsenal win it back and Martinelli wins a corner for the visitors.

Vieira swings it in, comes to Nelson at the back post but this time he’s unable to get the shot away. No repeat of the Bournemouth heroics.

Simon Collings at Estadio Jose Alvalade

17:55 , Matt Verri

Arteta wisely calling a team talk here as a Sporting player is down injured. The Gunners have just been a tad sloppy so far. Yet to settle into the game.

17:55 , Matt Verri

9 mins: Arsenal haven’t really got going yet, Sporting the better side so far. Looking very dangerous down the sides of the Gunners’ defence.

It’s got the home crowd going too, though the momentum is slightly halted as Paulinho goes down. Fairly groggy after running straight into Saliba’s shoulder.

17:51 , Matt Verri

6 mins: Sporting should really be in front!

Long ball forward, Jorginho caught out and Goncalves is away down the left. Chops inside into the box, curls the low effort well wide of the far post. Big chance.

17:50 , Matt Verri

4 mins: A couple of loose passes in midfield already from the Gunners, who have just about prevented them from leading to Sporting counters.

Saka gets his first chance to drift inside, clips the ball out to Nelson. He skips past his man, stands a cross up but Martinelli can’t quite get up enough for the header.

17:48 , Matt Verri

2 mins: Arteta not looking particularly thrilled as White pings a long ball straight out of play. Was looking for a run from Saka that never came.

First bit of work for Saliba, as the ball gets played in behind Kiwior. The Frenchman mops it up well.

KICK-OFF!

17:46 , Matt Verri

We’re up and running in Lisbon!

Simon Collings at Estadio Jose Alvalade

17:44 , Matt Verri

As was case when Spurs played here in September, plenty of empty seats and a few away fans in home end.

Don’t think 5.45pm KO helps with home supporters trying to get here when working.

17:43 , Matt Verri

Time for the Europa League anthem, which Arsenal will be hoping not to hear for a long time after the next few months.

With Odegaard out, it’s Xhaka wearing the captain’s armband tonight.

Here we go...

17:41 , Matt Verri

Teams will be out onto the pitch any minute now.

Sporting beat Tottenham here earlier in the season, but they’ve been far from unbeatable on home soil. Still a very strong Arsenal side too, even with those changes.

Simon Collings at Estadio Jose Alvalade

17:37 , Matt Verri

Big night for Gabriel Martinelli as he leads the line. Up against ‘Liverpool legend’ Sebastian Coates, who surely won’t be keen to have to handle Martinelli’s pace in behind.

Arteta’s pre-match thoughts

17:34 , Matt Verri

“Every competition you play for this club, you have to try and win it and do your best every single day.

“We make six changes because we’ve had a lot of issues in the last few days. We have to adapt - that’s why we have a good squad.

“[Kiwior] has been training well, he’s a player we really like. I have full confidence in my players.”

Deep run expected...

17:28 , Matt Verri

Arsenal are second favourites to win the Europa League this season, behind Manchester United.

The Gunners very much have their eye on the Premier League, but there’s every chance of a deep European run to go with that title charge.

Could prove to be a very, very special season.

Warm-up time!

17:21 , Matt Verri

Vieira providing key information

17:17 , Matt Verri

Fabio Vieira starts tonight, and Mikel Arteta revealed Arsenal have been using him as a scout.

The 22-year-old arrived in the summer from Porto, with the Gunners keen to use his knowledge of tonight’s Portuguese opponents.

“For sure, that was the first thing that we did because it’s great to have the knowledge and the understanding of someone from the country, who knows the manager and has [international] team-mates,” Arteta said.

“It’s always very useful and he talked really highly.”

Gunners are in the building...

17:06 , Matt Verri

Martinelli: Saka will stay at Arsenal

16:59 , Matt Verri

Gabriel Martinelli is hopeful Bukayo Saka will follow in his footsteps and sign a new contract at Arsenal.

Martinelli penned a new deal with the Gunners back in February, extending his stay at the club until 2027. Arsenal are also working to tie down Saka to a new contract, with the winger’s present deal due to expire in 2024.

The Gunners are understood to have a broad agreement in place with Saka and are working on finalising the terms of a new contract.

“I will be happy because he is a very, very good player, one of the best young players in the world,” said Martinelli, when asked about the prospect of Saka staying.

“He is at his house, you know. Arsenal is his home and for sure he is happy. And we will be happy as well if he stays and signs a new deal.

“We always have some jokes - me, him and [William] Saliba. But it’s up to him. But he will stay for sure. He loves the club.”

Simon Collings at the Estadio Jose Alvalade

16:52 , Matt Verri

Debut for Kiwior

16:45 , Matt Verri

January signing Jakub Kiwior gets his chance to impress, making his debut as he partners William Saliba at the back. Oleksandr Zinchenko continues at left-back, while Matt Turner starts in goal.

Jorginho replaces Thomas Partey as expected and Granit Xhaka comes into the side, while Reiss Nelson is rewarded with a start.

No Gabriel Jesus or Martin Odegaard in the squad.

Sporting team news

16:39 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Adan; St. Juste, Coates, Inacio; Esgaio, Pote, Morita, Reis; Edwards, Paulinho, Trincao.

Subs: Israel, Santos, Neto, Rochinha, Issahaku, Diomande, Tanlongo, Gomes, Cabral, Chermiti, Mateus, Essugo

Arsenal team news

16:33 , Matt Verri

Starting XI: Turner; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko; Vieira, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Martinelli, Nelson

Subs: Ramsdale, Hillson, Partey, Gabriel, Smith Rowe, Holding, Tomiyasu, Bandeira, Sagoe Jr, Smith, Walters

Hopefully it fills up a bit

16:27 , Matt Verri

Last time out...

16:22 , Matt Verri

Difficult to forget, but for those who have here’s a reminder of what happened the last time Arsenal were in action.

Conceded after nine seconds, fell 2-0 down to Bournemouth, pulled it back to 2-2, scored in the 97th minute to win it, chaos at the Emirates, five points clear at the top of the Premier League.

That just about sums it up.

Arteta: Both competitions a priority

16:14 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta believes the best way for Arsenal to maintain momentum in the title race is by going on a run in the Europa League.

Arsenal are currently five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and now have to contend with midweek European football returning.

The Gunners were knocked out of the FA Cup in January by Manchester City and that started a run of four games without a win.

“Our priority is the two competitions,” said Arteta. “Obviously, we have to earn the right to continue in this competition to get as far as we want and we’re going to face a really difficult opponent.

“The best way to prepare for any competition is to win the previous match and having the confidence and the proper emotion to approach the next game. If we play well and we are able to win the game, that will better prepare us for the next one.”

Binoculars at the ready

16:07 , Matt Verri

The Smith is back...

16:00 , Matt Verri

Emile Smith Rowe came on early against Bournemouth and was then brought off in the second-half, with Arsenal not wanting to push him too far on his return from injury.

It’s been an incredibly frustrating season for Smith Rowe so far, playing a total of 104 minutes in the Premier League and he’s yet to start a competitive match.

That could change tonight, with his return to full fitness a big boost for the Gunners.

How Martinelli reignited Arsenal’s season

15:53 , Matt Verri

Dropped or rested, call it what you want, but ever since Gabriel Martinelli was left out of the Arsenal team just over two weeks ago he has been reborn.

Martinelli was named on the bench for Arsenal’s match at Aston Villa, but came on to score in stoppage time and complete a 4-2 comeback. The Brazilian has started all three of the next games since, taking his tally to four goals in as many matches.

Martinelli’s return to form is timely. He has reignited Arsenal’s title charge and now Mikel Arteta will be hoping the 21-year-old can have the same impact in the Europa League tonight.

Arteta is light on forward options, as Eddie Nketiah (ankle) and Leandro Trossard (groin) are both out. Gabriel Jesus trained yesterday, but he has not played since having knee surgery in December. It leaves Martinelli as the prime candidate to lead the line.

Read Simon Collings’ full piece here

Standard Sport prediction

15:46 , Matt Verri

While it’s unlikely to be a full-strength Arsenal side, it’s simply too hard to see them losing a game right now, particularly when playing with the kind of belief that saw them beat Bournemouth late on.

Sporting will know they have to get some sort of positive result tonight to give them a realistic chance next week at the Emirates, but a draw might be as good as it gets for them.

1-1 draw.

Arsenal team news

15:37 , Matt Verri

Arsenal have Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and Kieran Tierney on the sidelines tonight..

Midfielder Mohamed Elneny is also out of the trip to Portugal with a knee injury, but it is unclear at this stage if Gabriel Jesus is match fit and in the squad.

Nketiah and Trossard’s absences mean that Gabriel Martinelli may have to lead the line, with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe likely to play either side of him. Reiss Nelson, who scored the winner at the weekend against Bournemouth, is also pushing to start.

Goalkeeper Matt Turner should come in for Aaron Ramsdale, while Takehiro Tomiyasu may start in the absence of Tierney through illness.

Jorginho is due to replace Thomas Partey at the base of midfield and Granit Xhaka is primed to play after being rested against Bournemouth.

Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Turner; White, Holding, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe

Sporting team news

15:30 , Matt Verri

The major absentee for Sporting is midfielder Manuel Ugarte, who sits out through suspension along with Daniel Braganca in a huge blow for the hosts.

Hector Bellerin will be hoping to feature at some point against his former club tonight.

How to watch Sporting vs Arsenal

15:22 , Matt Verri

TV channel: The game will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2 in the UK. Coverage gets underway at 5:15pm.

Live stream: Subscribers can watch on a live stream across mobile devices, laptops, games consoles and more through either the BT Sport website or app.

LIVE coverage: Follow all the action right here with us, featuring expert analysis from Simon Collings at the ground.

Good afternoon!

15:16 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Sporting vs Arsenal!

It’s the first leg of the Europa League last-16 tie, as the Gunners try and replicate their Premier League form on the European stage. Safe to say confidence is high for Mikel Arteta’s side.

We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 5:45pm GMT from the Estadio Jose Alvalade.