TNT Sports
Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal: Hidemasa Morita own goal salvages first-leg draw for Gunners ahead of Emirates return
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Published 09/03/2023 at 17:59 GMT
Arsenal will take a 2-2 draw back to London ahead of the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie with Sporting CP. A rotated Gunners side took the lead through William Saliba but goals from Goncalo Inacio and Paulinho turned the match in favour of the Portuguese side. However, the luckless Hidemasa Morita turned into his own net to level the scores.
Arsenal's players celebrate after Sporting Lisbon's Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita scored an own goal during the UEFA Europa League last 16 first leg football match between Sporting CP and Arsenal at Jose Alvalade stadium in Lisbon on March 9, 2023.
Image credit: Getty Images
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.
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.
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 Paulinho 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.
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 and Jakub Kiwior producing a solid showing on his full debut.
There were a few areas of concern with many observers suggesting Turner could have done better with both goals. Indeed, defending set pieces will be an area the Gunners boss will want to tighten up on as they have now conceded four goals from corners since the World Cup, which is twice as many as before the tournament in Qatar.
Arteta had spoken of wanting to manage the pursuit of silverware both home and abroad and to do that he will have to make full use of his squad like he did in Portugal.
The Spaniard will no doubt feel his side could have won the match but he will be delighted by the spirit to come from behind once again, and quietly confident they will complete the job in the second leg at the Emirates next week.
Player of the match - William Saliba (Arsenal)
The 21-year-old continues to excel in his first full season as an integral part of the Gunners’ first team. Capped another excellent display at the back with his first goal in Europe for the club and looks like being a fixture for this team for many years to come.
Player Ratings
SPORTING CP: Adan 8, St Juste 7, Coates 7, Inacio 7, Esgaio 7, Goncalves 7, Morita 6, Reis 7, Edwards 7, Paulinho 7, Trincao 7. Subs: Santos 6, Diomande 6, Chermiti 5, Fatawu n/a.
ARSENAL: Turner 5, White 7, Saliba 8, Kiwior 7, Zinchenko 7, Xhaka 7, Jorginho 7, Saka 6, Vieira 7, Nelson 7, Martinelli 6. Subs: Tomiyasu 6, Partey 6, Gabriel 6, Smith Rowe 6.
Match Highlights
06’ – SPORTING CHANCE! Pedro Goncalves surges free in the left channel after a simple long ball over the top. He sprints into the area, cuts inside, but then fluffs his lines with a curler towards the far corner that flies well wide.
22’ – GOAL! – Sporting 0-1 Arsenal. Saliba is allowed to attack Vieira’s right-wing corner under very little pressure and duly guides a header into the back of the net.
34’ – GOAL! – Sporting 1-1 Arsenal. Inacio is left unmarked to meet Edwards’ right-wing corner and thump a header home. All square!
42’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Xhaka gets on the end of a deep left-wing corner but Adan just about keeps it out low at his near post.
48’ – ARSENAL CHANCE! Adan sticks up a left hand to brilliantly keep out Martinelli's dinked effort after a lovely through pass from Zinchenko.
55’ – GOAL! – Sporting 2-1 Arsenal. Paulinho tucks in from close range after Turner could only parry Goncalves' low strike from the right side of the box.
62’ – GOAL! – Sporting 2-2 Arsenal. What a slice of luck! Xhaka's cross-shot from 20 yards out hits Morita and flies into the opposite corner. It comes just seconds after Paulinho had fired wide when clear on goal and looking certain to extend the home side’s lead. What drama!
Key Stats
Only Bukayo Saka (9) has provided more assists in all competitions this season for Arsenal than Fabio Vieira (6).
Paulinho is only the second player to score against both Arsenal and Tottenham in a single season in European competition, after Youssef El Arabi for Olympiakos in 2019-20 (excluding qualifying rounds).
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