Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting: Fabio Vieira lively for Gunners but Jakub Kiwior and Matt Turner shaky

It was a rusty showing from some of those brought into the Arsenal side
Jakub Kiwior had a shaky debut for the Gunners
AFP via Getty Images

Arsenal were held to a draw by Sporting in Lisbon in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

In a frantic game, both sides took the lead but neither was able to hold onto it and instead they had to settle for a 2-2 draw.

Arsenal opened the scoring through William Saliba, but the hosts equalised when Goncalo Inacio headed home before the break.

They then took the lead 10 minutes into the second-half through Paulinho, however an own-goal by Hidemasa Morita means Arsenal take a draw back to Emirates Stadium next week.

Simon Collings was in Lisbon to see Arsenal in action...

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.

Ben White 6

A solid game, but not at the level he has set himself this season. Both he and Saka seemed to be starved of ball in the first-half.

William Saliba 7

Scored his third goal for Arsenal as he opened the scoring by heading home from a corner. Made one vital last-ditch clearance when the game was tied at 1-1.

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.

Oleksandr Zinchenko 6

Had some good moments as he looked to get on the ball. Passing, however, was not as sharp as it usually is and he was loose in possession.

Fabio Vieira 7

The midfielder had some bright movements and was one of Arsenal’s more lively players. Setup the first goal by swinging in a corner.

Jorginho 6

Caught out a few times early on defensively, where his lack of passed was exposed. Like a few players, his passing radar was just a bit off it.

Granit Xhaka 6

Created Arsenal’s equaliser with a cross that was deflected into Sporting’s own net. One of those guilty of being sloppy in possession at times.

Granit Xhaka’s deflected pass bounced into the bottom corner for the equaliser
REUTERS

Bukayo Saka 6

Unusually quiet, particularly during the first-half. Improved a bit after the break and had a hand in the second goal by winning the ball high up the pitch.

Gabriel Martinelli 6

Given the chance to play as a No9 and worked hard up top. So nearly scored one of the goals of the season with a run from his own half.

Reiss Nelson 5

After the fireworks of last weekend, this was a quiet performance from the winger. Beat his opposite man a few times but lacked the final ball.

Substitutions

Takehiro Tomiyasu (Zinchenko 63’) 6

On at left-back and had a solid cameo. Looked comfortable on his weaker foot.

Gabriel (Kiwior 71’) N/A

Thomas Partey (Jorginho 71’) N/A

Emile Smith Rowe (Nelson 71’) N/A

Subs not used: Ramsdale, Hillson, Holding, Walters, Smith, Bandeira, Sagoe Jr

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