Arsenal vs Sporting live updates: Xhaka goal gives hosts lead in ...
Michael Dominski and Noah Murray
March 16, 2023 at 5:13 PM EDT
Arsenal are leading Sporting CP 1-0 in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16, giving the English side a 3-2 lead on aggregate. Follow our live coverage below!
March 16, 2023 at 5:11 PM EDT
Sporting attacking50' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Sporting are attacking in waves in the early going of the second half, as Arsenal repeatedly fail to clear their lines and cheaply give the ball away.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 5:09 PM EDT
This could be Arteta's thinking48' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Arsenal had already used two substitution opportunities in the first half for the injuries to Saliba and Tomiyasu, so that could be why they were happy to take off Jesus at half-time.
Jordan Campbell·
Rangers Correspondent
March 16, 2023 at 5:07 PM EDT
Third change for Arsenal as second half gets underway46' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Gabriel Jesus is replaced by Leandro Trossard as we begin the second half. No word on whether Jesus suffered an injury or whether Arsenal are simply looking to limit his minutes as he returns to full fitness.
Rain falling at the Emirates now.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 5:05 PM EDT
Half-time thoughts on ArsenalA half-time result that Arsenal will be content with. The two injuries to Tomiyasu and Saliba? Not so much.
Sporting started the far better team and were pulling Arsenal's shape apart well. White has clearly been instructed to man mark Trincao since coming on to try and get a grip on their build-up. For a while he limited him, although he did have a lovely turn towards the end of the half again.
Edwards could be having a very big night if his final decision had been better on three separate occasions but Arsenal grew into the game and started to settle into their passing a bit more.
All eyes on Jesus and he has been lively with some intricate touches around the box but Vieira, Nelson and Martinelli have not been able to access the ball as much as Arteta would like.
Jordan Campbell·
Rangers Correspondent
March 16, 2023 at 4:51 PM EDT
HT: Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CPArsenal have the advantage but it's come at a cost, as William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu came off injured.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:50 PM EDT
Chance for Ugarte45+4' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Ugarte doesn't have much space on the edge of Arsenal's box but still manages to shoot through the traffic and nearly scores at the far post.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:48 PM EDT
Xhaka booked45+2' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Xhaka is shown a yellow card after cynically bringing Trincao down in midfield to prevent a quick break.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:47 PM EDT
Injury time45' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Sporting are finding a way back into the game. Arsenal created a series of chances after taking the lead, but in the past five minutes the visitors have asserted themselves.
Four minutes are added on to the end of the first half here.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:42 PM EDT
Shot for St. Juste41' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
St. Juste makes a great run from deep in midfield all the way to the front of Arsenal's box. He hits a powerful shot but it flies well over the target.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:40 PM EDT
Arsenal on front foot38' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Memories of Sporting's bright start in the opening 15 minutes have faded, as Arsenal have really grown into the game since going ahead.
Sporting's best opportunities have come on the counterattack, with Arsenal controlling the majority of possession otherwise.
The offside flag has perhaps been the biggest impediment to the home side adding to their lead.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:32 PM EDT
Jesus shows off skills30' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Jesus shows incredible skill to glide through the Sporting defence and shoot through a defender's legs, forcing another big save from Adan.
The Arsenal forward is looking for his first goal since October 1.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:30 PM EDT
End-to-end action28' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Arsenal work a corner well as Zinchenko finds Martinelli, who forces a good save from Adan.
The goalkeeper immediately sends the ball long for Edwards, who's isolated one-on-one with Zinchenko in the Arsenal box but fails to take advantage of the situation.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:28 PM EDT
Video of Xhaka's goal - US readersOur readers in the US can check out the replay of Arsenal's opening goal here:
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:28 PM EDT
Video of Xhaka's goal - UK readersOur readers in the UK can check out the replay of Arsenal's opening goal here:
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:26 PM EDT
Vieira booked24' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Vieira is booked after a reckless challenge.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:24 PM EDT
Jesus' involvement in Xhaka's goal23' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Notable that Jesus was running towards his own goal rather than the opposition goal in the move that put Arsenal 1-0 ahead.
He has so much variety to his game and is happy for others to break in behind.
Michael Cox·
Football Writer
March 16, 2023 at 4:23 PM EDT
Second Arsenal defender injured21' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Saliba comes off injured now, the second Arsenal defender to do so in the opening half hour after Tomiyasu. He's replaced by Holding.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:21 PM EDT
GOAL! Arsenal in front!19' Arsenal 1-0 Sporting CP
(Arsenal lead 3-2 on aggregate)
Jorginho plays a brilliant through ball that releases Martinelli down the left wing. Adan saves his ensuing shot, but the rebound comes right out to Xhaka who sweeps it home for the lead!
"To the Arsenal one-nil" is heard around the Emirates.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:19 PM EDT
Penalty appeal for Arsenal18' Arsenal 0-0 Sporting CP
(Tied 2-2 on aggregate)
Jorginho goes down under contact in the Sporting box. The Emirates crowd howls for a penalty but referee Mateu Lahoz isn't impressed.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
March 16, 2023 at 4:18 PM EDT
Chance for Arsenal!16' Arsenal 0-0 Sporting CP
(Tied 2-2 on aggregate)
Nelson hits a cross into the Sporting box for Jesus at the back post. The Brazilian's contact isn't great but he still forces Adan into a diving save.
Arsenal's best moment thus far.
Michael Dominski·
Live Reporter
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz (referee)
Pau Cebrián Devis (assistant)
Roberto Díaz Pérez Del Palomar (assistant)
Ricardo De Burgos Bengoetxea (fourth)
