The Gunners fired shots, but they were hit as well in their European clash at Estadio Jose Alvalade in the Portuguese capital. It finished 2-2 in the first leg of their round of 16 double-header with the Lions of Lisbon.Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta picked a mix-and-match team for the Gunners’ Europa League clash with Sporting Clube de Portugal – and it showed on the pitch.The English team looked great on the ball, but seemed dangerously shaky at the back. Jakub Kiwior made his debut while inexperienced Matt Turner deputised for Aaron Ramsdale in goal. Reiss Nelson, the hero of the win over Bournemouth was given a start in attack, while Fabio Vieira started alongside Granit Xhaka and Jorginho in midfield.It started well for the visitors in Lisbon, with William Saliba heading unmarked from a corner. But the Lions were determined to give the Premier League side a stern test.Marcus Edwards, former Tottenham Hotspur youngster, delivered a corner right onto the head of Goncalo Inacio to beat Turner and level ten minutes before the break. Arsenal were lucky not to go behind when Pedro Goncalves had a try with a low shot, but Turner dived well to save his team. But he couldn’t do anything with Paulinho’s effort shortly.Sporting’s Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita had a rotten night indeed. He was booked and automatically suspended for the return leg, but that wasn’t the worst part. He diverted the ball into his net to let Arsenal level.The Gunners continued to control the ball, but it was the home team that looked more dangerous.This tie will be settled at Emirates next Thursday. Arteta will surely reconsider his team selection.UEFA EUROPA LEAGUERound of 16 – 1st legThursdayAS Roma – Real Sociedad 2-2 (1-0)/El Shaarawy 13, Kumbulla 87/Bayer Leverkusen – Ferencvaros 2-0 (1-0)/Demirbay 10, Tapsoba 86/Sporting CP – Arsenal 2-2 (1-1)/Inacio 34, Paulinho 55 – Saliba 22, Morita 62 og/Union Berlin – Union Saint-Gilloise 3-3 (1-1)/Juranovic 42, Knoche 69, Michel 89 – Boniface 28, 72, Vertessen 58/23:00: (1.80) Sevilla (3.70) Fenerbahce (5.00)23:00: (1.70) Juventus (3.70) Freiburg (5.90)23:00: (1.45) Man.Utd. (4.40) Betis (7.25)23:00: (3.10) Shakhtar (3.45) Feyenoord (2.40)***odds are subject to change***
