Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon – Europa League: Live score and updates

Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon (agg 2-2) LIVE: Gabriel Jesus STARTS as Mikel Arteta names a strong line-up for Europa League last-16 second leg, with Gunners still having plenty of work to do to reach quarter-finals

Follow Sportsmail’s live blog for the Europa League last-16 clash between Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon. 

Host commentator

Erik ten Hag’s side have confirmed their place in the Europa League quarter-finals thanks to their 5-1 aggregate win over Real Betis.

Are they Arsenal’s biggest threat left in the competition? 

Relive all the action by following Sportsmail’s match blog below:

The Arsenal boss spoke to BT Sport ahead of kick-off and admitted his side ‘really missed’ Jesus during his injury.

A big night for the Brazilian!

"We really missed him." 👊

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking forward to welcoming Gabriel Jesus back into his starting line-up.#UEL pic.twitter.com/9cqy8cIS5z

Just under 30 minutes left until the second leg kicks off!

Who’s going through?

Arsenal Stadium 🏟️

Arsenal 🆚 Sporting CP: who's going through?#UEL pic.twitter.com/THkcbdiSKc

There’s plenty of firepower on Arteta’s bench tonight, with Saka, Odegaard, Partey, Smith-Rowe and Trossard all missing out from the start, but the Spanish boss is eager not to call them substitutes.

Instead, Arteta prefers the term ‘impacters’. Here’s why…

On the Thurs-day he rose again… Jesus is back starting for Arsenal after four months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Arsenal haven’t missed him as much as many anticipated, but he’ll no doubt play a huge role for the Gunners as they hunt down silverware.

🤩 In the starting lineup for the first time since November

Great to have you back, @gabrieljesus9 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/INfETLtB8F

Tonight’s lineup, if anything, demonstrates how confident Arteta is in his Arsenal squad. 

The Gunners boss has named Saka, Odegaard and Partey on the bench despite the magnitude of the knockout fixture, keeping them well rested for this weekend’s clash against Crystal Palace. 

Let’s see if it works out in his favour…

Gabriel Jesus returns to Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup as Reiss Nelson earns a spot in the front three after his late stunner against Bournemouth.

STARTING LINEUPS IN FULL:

ARSENAL: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Jorginho, Xhaka, Vieira; Nelson, Jesus, Martinelli

SPORTING: Adan; Esgaio, Inacio, Diomande, St Juste; Reis, Ugarte, Goncalves; Trincao, Edwards, Paulinho

🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️

🧱 Tomiyasu at the back
©️ Xhaka skippers the side
❤️ Gabby leading the line
 
Let’s do this – together! pic.twitter.com/oq6MSoLNRO

Here’s our 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙓𝙄 #SportingCP #ARSSCP pic.twitter.com/6gbHKHJOeR

Marcus Rashford has just put United ahead against Real Betis. He simply cannot stop scoring!

The Red Devils lead 5-1 on aggregate…

Both Premier League leaders Arsenal and Carabao Cup winners Manchester United will have high hopes of lifting the Europa League trophy this year, although the Red Devils got most of the job done in their last-16 first leg against Real Betis last week.

It’s still 0-0 just after half-time in Spain, meaning the quarter-finals are within touching distance for Manchester United. But how will Arsenal fare in just over an hour’s time?

Sportsmail breaks down the state of play ahead of the Europa League second legs.

The Gunners players have arrived and are gearing up for the second leg.

Stay tuned for team news…

🥁 Introducing… The Arsenal

Team news 🔜 pic.twitter.com/rXFhr9RGjv

Forgotten what happened in Lisbon last week? Don’t worry, DANIEL MATTHEWS has got you covered.

Read Sportsmail’s full report from the José Alvalade Stadium below:

Hello!

Mikel Arteta’s pursuit of silverware continues this evening as Arsenal host Sporting Lisbon in the second leg of their Europa League last-16 tie.

If last week’s 2-2 draw in Portugal taught us anything, it’s that Sporting cannot be underestimated, even if the Gunners head into the clash as the bookies’ favourites to lift the trophy in May.

Sportsmail brings you coverage of the action from the Emirates here, including all the pre-match build-up ahead of kick-off, so make sure to stay tuned throughout the evening to keep up to date with the match!

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