Pain in the Arsenal
Fansided

Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal: Player ratings from entertaining first leg in Lisbon

By James Cormack

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. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP) (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images)
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. (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM / AFP) (Photo by FILIPE AMORIM/AFP via Getty Images) /
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Arsenal will have a little bit of work to do in the second leg of their Europa League round of 16 tie after drawing 2-2 with Sporting CP in Lisbon.

The Gunners struggled to assert control in the opening period and they were pegged back by the hosts after taking the lead through William Saliba. Poor set-piece defending manifested once again as Goncalo Inácio headed home Sporting’s equaliser under little duress.

The visitors enjoyed a bright start to the second half before Sporting grabbed their first lead of the contest through Paulinho. The striker then spurned a huge opportunity to put the hosts 3-1 up after Gabriel Martinelli almost recreated his iconic goal against Chelsea.

Arsenal were soon level thanks to a huge slice of luck when Granit Xhaka’s overhit pass was converted into his own net by Hidemasa Morita.

With the scores level, Mikel Arteta rolled the dice and shuffled his pack but neither side could find a third goal in the closing stages.

Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal player ratings

Here are the Arsenal player ratings from Lisbon.

Goalkeeper & Defenders

Matt Turner (GK) – 4/10 – Rusty. Never looked comfortable with the ball at his feet and could’ve been more assertive from the corner that culminated in Sporting’s first goal. Made a couple of good saves from long range efforts in the first half.

Ben White (RB) – 6/10 – Not much to comment on, to be honest.

William Saliba (CB) – 7/10 – Stood out amid a poor defensive display and grabbed his second Arsenal goal.

Jakub Kiwior (CB) – 5/10 – Not the most convincing of debuts. Pote exploited the space in behind Kiwior which led to Sporting’s second.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (LB) – 5/10 – Frustrated by his performance throughout and was understandably withdrawn just after the hour.

Continued on the next slide…