Europa League: Arsenal Claim Hard-Earn Draw Against Sporting

 

Arsenal had a tough game and could only managed to come from behind to get a hard-earned 2-2 draw against Sporting Lisbon in the Round 16 first-leg of the Europa League. 

Though, Arsenal took the lead from William Saliba's header following a corner, Sporting responded with Goncalo Inacio's header following a corner to level the scores few minutes after half hour. 

An energy-sapping second half saw a show of shear composure on the ball that produced the second goal for the Portuguese when Paulinho tap in from close range Dias Fernandes' rebound shot. 

Gabriel Martinelli wasted a lofty chance off leveling for Arsenal after making a fast break and latching on the ball onto Sporting's box but couldn't finished as Jeremiah St. Juste cleared the ball into safety. That effort was later compensate for and Arsenal leveled the scores in 62nd minute when Hidemsas Morita deflected in Granit Xhaka's shot. 

The draw leaves Arsenal with no advantage on away goal on their second-leg tie which will be at Emirates Stadium as the game in all-squared scores and they must win to progress. Arsenal continued to vy for the first Europa League trophy since the competition was named from UEFA Cup in 2008.