Sports
Arsenal vs Sporting: Europa League – LIVE!
Arsenal look to seal their place in the Europa League quarter-finals as they host Sporting at the Emirates Stadium tonight. The last-16 tie is in the balance after a chaotic first-leg in Portugal finished 2-2, and the Gunners will be looking for more control this time.
Since last week’s match, Mikel Arteta’s side have cruised past Fulham to remain five points clear at the top of the Premier League, with Gabriel Jesus coming off the bench to make his long-awaited return from injury. The Brazilian makes his first start since the World Cup tonight, while Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard drop to the Gunners’ bench.
Sporting were themselves comfortable winners over the weekend, and sit fourth in Primeira Liga. They drew with Tottenham earlier this season in the Champions League on their last visit to north London. Follow all the action with our LIVE blog below, featuring expert analysis from Simon Collings at the ground.
Live updates
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Sporting | Granit Xhaka 19′
ARSENAL TAKE THE LEAD!
Their first good spell of the match and it’s brought the opening goal.
Martinelli played in on the left, his shot is saved but the rebound falls for Xhaka and he slams it into the back of the net.
18 mins: Arsenal want a penalty, referee is swiftly on the scene wagging his finger though.
The hosts have finally woken up, causing Sporting problems now. Vieira it was who chested the ball down in the box, went down… not getting a decision for that though.
16 mins: Jesus dropping deep to try and get involved, with Arsenal struggling to play their way up the pitch.
This is better, Zinchenko and Jesus combine out on the left. Jesus plays the ball inside, Martinelli wasn’t expecting it though.
Arsenal stay on the attack, Nelson whips a great cross into the box and Jesus forces a save.
13 mins: Sporting much the better side so far, a roar from the Emirates meets Trincao firing an effort wide. Home crowd trying to get their team going.
Trincao was played in down the right, cut inside onto his left foot and hammered an effort wide of the far post.
11 mins: Arsenal slowing things down as they keep the ball at the back, trying to get themselves into this match after a slow start.
Front three yet to get involved, Martinelli and Nelson haven’t had a kick.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
A blow for Arsenal as Tomiyasu goes off injured, but it does mean they now have their first-choice defence and goalkeeper on the pitch at least.
8 mins: Tomiyasu hurt himself as he stretched to try and halt Trincao and he’s gone done off the ball. Looks like his night could be over already.
And it is, White is on to replace him. Frustrating start for Tomiyasu and the Gunners.
6 mins: Lovely bit of skill from Trincao, too good for Tomiyasu who loses his footing for good measure as he bundles into the winger. Free-kick for the visitors, up come the defenders.
Taken short, Edwards unable to get a cross in though and Arsenal can clear. Or not, Vieira loses it straight away. Arsenal yet to get going.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
Noticeable how Gabriel Jesus is already ordering his team-mates about. He is leading the press and telling others to get higher up the pitch.
Arsenal have missed his leadership.
3 mins: Back pass to Adan briefly gets Jesus’ attention, Brazilian unable to catch up with it though.
Sporting seeing a decent amount of the ball in the opening minutes, confident enough start from the visitors.
