Sporting Clube de Lisbon 2-2 Arsenal 

Arsenal showed character to fight back to earn a 2-2 draw in an absorbingk and action-packed Europa League last-16 first leg in Portugal on Thursday evening. 

William Saliba put the Premier League tablae toppers ahead with an emphatic header from a corner by Portuguese midfielder Fabio Vieira.

However, Arsenal's lead lasted just 12 minutes, Goncalo Inacio nodding home the leveller after hesitancy from keeper Matt Turner following a corner by English winger Marcus Edwards.

In an absorbing game in the Portuguese capital, Paulinho fired Sporting ahead only for Arsenal to equalise through an own goal by Japan midfielder Hidemasa Morita.

Europa League Player Ratings

Matt Turner: 6/10 - Should have done better in commanding his box prior to Goncalo Inacio's header. Proved alert to keep

Ben White: 6.5/10 - Rattled at times as the backline attempted to keep out a lively Lisbon side 

Jakub Kiwior: 5/10 - Showed bursts of reassuring speed but was nowhere to be seen in the box during Goncalo Inacio's levelling header which was a worry for a centre-back, albeit one on his first team debut

William Saliba: 7/10 - Popped up with he opener but faced a constant challenge from a lively Sporting frontline

Olexsandr Zinchenko: 7/10 - Solid from the tough Ukranian 

Jorginho: 6/10 - Not as influential as the former Chelsea midfielder would have liked but operated as a useful conduit 

Fabio Vieira: 6.5/10 - Assisted for Saliba's goal from the corner.. Flitted in and out of the game as is his wont while receiving stick for his Porto connections. Fired narrowly wide early in the second half

Granit Xhaka: 6.5/10 - Between keeper Antonio Adnan and the woodwork VAR correctly ruled that the ball did not cross the line from his header late in the first half

Bukayo Saka: 6.5/10 - A lively performance that never let the Lisbon backline settle 

Gabi Martinelli: 6.5/10 - The Brazil star said before the match that he wanted to make Arsenal fans happy. he nearly did with an outstanding run that was denied at the death as the home team and support celebrated as if they had scored 

Reiss Nelson: 5/10 - Worked hard but could not fully  influence proceedings. Needs to work on his final ball

Substitutes: 

SUB: Takehiro Tomiyasu (63' for Zinchenko) - 6/10

SUB: Gabriel (71' for Kiwior) - 6/10

SUB: Thomas Partey (71' for Jorginho) - 6.5/10

SUB: Emile Smith Rowe (71' for Nelson) - 6.5/10