Arsenal

Arsenal have conceded four goals in two games after shipping two apiece against Bournemouth and Sporting Lisbon; Mikel Arteta insisted his side must improve ...

We made a lot of changes today and sometimes that takes time to get that cohesion. "We had some positives because we showed a lot of resilience to get back in the game," he continued. You could feel in the first 15 minutes that it needed some time to adapt and click. "But we need to defend our box much better and we have to be in the return leg to beat them. "In other moments we had total control of the game and we lost a little bit of threat today, especially with the four players we are missing in our frontline. Mikel Arteta urged his much-changed Arsenal side to improve 'massively' after they needed to fight back to earn a scrappy 2-2 draw with Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday.

Granit Xhaka said the pressure has ramped up on Arsenal as they fight for the Premier League title but believes they have the mentality to cope.

But as long as you get the result, nobody will ask you at the end of May." But everything starts at the front, if nobody or not all of us are ready on this level, you get punched." We have to respect all the opponents, even if I think there is a good mentality in the team and let's try to keep that. But in general, I think we are doing well. However, Arsenal have shown greater resilience so far this season, and Xhaka said: "You can see that every team is playing different against us.

Watch all the best of the action from our game against the Portuguese giants at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.

Copyright 2023 The Arsenal Football Club plc. However, Granit Xhaka’s shot spun off Hidemasa Morita and into the corner of the net to help ensure we went into the second leg at Emirates Stadium next week level pegging, and you can see that as well as everything else by watching the bitesize package above, with an extended cut and full match halves to come. Thursday night saw us battle it out with Sporting CP to claim a 2-2 draw in the Europa League, and you can see the best of the action in our highlights package.

Arsenal news: The Gunners resume their Premier League title ambition this weekend at Fulham in their fourth game of March already.

[Leandro Trossard](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arsenal-trossard-replacement-gabriel-jesus-26406734) and [Eddie Nketiah](https://www.football.london/profile/eddie-nketiah-injury-sporting-arsenal-26407153). [Granit Xhaka excited for imminent Gabriel Jesus return with Arsenal in line for triple boost](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/gabriel-jesus-arsenal-return-xhaka-26438537) [Arteta made six changes to the side that came from 2-0 down to defeat Bournemouth at the weekend](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arteta-arsenal-star-trust-sporting-26437073). [There was no room for Gabriel Jesus in the matchday squad](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/gabriel-jesus-arsenal-return-xhaka-26438537) despite participating in training. The forward has now featured in the last three games for the Gunners after missing the whole of February. It remains to be seen when the left-back will recover and return to the matchday squad. [Mikel Arteta's ](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/mikel-arteta-shouted-ben-white-26435483)weren't at their usual best at the Estadio Jose Alvalade and were punished for their continued defensive issues against Ruben Amorim's side. The pair were nowhere to be seen on Thursday after Arteta's comments pre-game. He's very positive about it and hopefully he'll be fine." "We are assessing him," Arteta said on Nketiah. There had been optimism he would maybe feature on Thursday following his intensity in training but next week's return leg now looks the perfect chance. Arsenal were fortunate not to fall two goals down with Paulinho sent a wayward effort wide before Hidemasa Morita's own goal levelled the scoreline. [The Gunners](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/) drew 2-2 with the Portuguese outfit to position themselves in good stead to qualify for the [Europa League quarter-finals](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arsenal-europa-league-prize-money-26257789) in the return leg next week.

Arsenal were far from their best at Sporting CP on Thursday night, but Mikel Arteta's side will go into the return fixture in London next week in good shape ...

Paulinho then pounced from close range to give the hosts the lead soon after the interval. [poor goalkeeping from Matt Turner](https://www.goal.com/en/news/usmnt-turner-arsenal-start-europa-league/blt721c85442f192bd4) and slack defending from debutant Jakub Kiwior allowed Goncalo Inacio to equalise before the break. [when the impressive William Saliba powered a header home from Fabio Vieira's first half corner](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/Arsenal-player-ratings-Sporting-Lisbon-Vieira-Kiwior/blt365494a4cc34abaa).

After a 2-2 draw in Portugal, Arsenal and Sporting CP will meet again at the Emirates Stadium next Thursday to decide who progresses to the Europa League ...

If the teams score the same number of goals or no goals during this extra time, a penalty shoot-out determines the team that qualifies for the next stage of the competition." Some positives because we showed a lot of resilience to get back in the game but we need to defend our box much better and be better on Sunday." A draw is the only result that can force extra-time and possibly penalties. "Instead, two 15-minute periods of extra-time are played at the end of the second leg. Although, in the words of Mikel Arteta, they'll have to defend a lot better in north London. [In an entertaining game - particularly for the neutral - in Lisbon](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/sporting-cp-vs-arsenal-live-26423366), the Gunners took the lead through William Saliba's towering header but needed an own goal from Hidemasa Morita in the second half to avoid defeat after Goncalo Inacio and Paulinho had put the hosts ahead either side of half-time.

Arsenal returned to Europa League action last night fresh off the back of a brilliant comeback win against Bournemouth at the weekend as Mikel Arteta made ...

They are in the box seat for a place in the Europa League quarter-finals, even if their performance hardly screamed of wild enthusiasm for a prolonged run. "With Arsenal suffering from an attacking injury crisis and all three of Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Leandro Trossard ruled out, it was up to Martinelli to lead the line. "Instead they conceded either side of the interval, could have shipped more and showed little sign of overcoming their recent leaky tendencies. "In what was a scrappy affair at times with plenty of loose balls, it was Fabio Vieira who stood out among those in an Arsenal shirt. With the away goals rule no longer, Sporting will be confident that they can spring a surprise in North London based on what unfolfed in Lisbon. [Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/mikel-arteta-fabio-vieira-arsenal-26435410) were all left out of the matchday squad with Arteta including a number of talented youngsters amongst the substitutes. "This was not Arsenal’s most exhilarating comeback of the past week, but it may prove significant nonetheless. The debutant remained rooted to the spot when he really should have jumped to head clear the corner that Sporting equalised from. "Despite his significant height, Sporting's first goal would suggest Kiwior still has some work to do in the air. Those who have kept a keen eye on the Poland international's progression will know one of Kiwior's strongest traits is his passing ability and all-round technincal quality. The Arsenal boss had opted to rotate his squad with Matt Turner, Jakob Kiwior, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson all starting. Arsenal had to come from behind once again as they drew 2-2 in their Europa League round of 16 first-leg clash against Sporting CP.

Arsenal news: Stay tuned for all the latest transfer chatter, team news and injury updates LIVE from the Emirates Stadium including talk on Gabriel Jesus, ...

"They have a lot of quality and they prove that weekly at the highest level so it’s going to be an exciting challenge." Some positives because we showed a lot of resilience to get back in the game but we need to defend our box much better and be better on Sunday. Arsenal had to come from behind once again as they drew 2-2 in their Europa League round of 16 first-leg clash against Sporting CP. Arsenal conceded from both a set-piece, once again, and on the counterattack, unveiling just what Ruben Amorim’s side might need to do when they visit the Emirates in a week’s time. Were it not for a freak own goal then they might well have been able to travel to London in the lead. Martinelli and Saka have proven to be crucial players for [Mikel Arteta this season](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/mikel-arteta-fabio-vieira-arsenal-26435410), each scoring 11 times to sit joint top of the club's scoring charts. Arsenal head back to the Emirates Stadium with plenty of positives following their 2-2 draw in the Europa League last-16 first-leg clash against Sporting CP. Juste labelled the attacking duo as "the two best wingers in Europe" ahead of the 2-2 draw on Thursday night. However, football.london [understands a decision was made for the Brazilian to stay at home instead](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/gabriel-jesus-arsenal-squad-sporting-26433232). Arsenal fans have now spotted what Zinchenko did to the Sporting defender who felt he had been fouled in the Gunners' opening goal as Saliba and his teammates celebrated. Saliba's goal was allowed to stand but both Zinchenko and Sporting star Sebastian Coates received yellow cards following the brief coming together, with Coates now suspended for the second-leg at the Emirates Stadium next week. [Mikel Arteta's ](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/mikel-arteta-shouted-ben-white-26435483)weren't at their usual best at the Estadio Jose Alvalade and were punished for their continued defensive issues against Ruben Amorim's side.

Fulham host Premier League leaders Arsenal in this London derby at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon. Can Mikel Arteta's side win yet again?

Their most likely league finish is 10th (28.1%) or ninth (25.8%) while they still have a 0.6% chance of finishing in the top five. Fulham have lost just three of their 13 Premier League home games this season (W6 D4), going down to Newcastle, Man Utd and Spurs. Fulham’s poor Premier League record against the Gunners, coupled with four consecutive home defeats against them help to fuel this outcome. Manor Solomon has scored in each of his last five appearances for Fulham across all competitions (five goals). Bukayo Saka may have only turned 21 years old in September, but he’s already one of the best talents in the Premier League. Solomon, who had to deal with a knee injury that kept him out for the bulk of the Premier League action before the turn of the year after signing on loan from Shakhtar Donetsk, has arguably been Fulham’s key player in 2023. These three winners have all come in their last eight games (against Man Utd, Aston Villa and Bournemouth). Fulham’s defence has been impressive since the return of the Premier League post-World Cup on Boxing Day. This has helped the Gunners win a league-high 15 points from losing positions so far this term. The exceptions in this run were victories in March 2006 (vs. This was also the Serbian’s 100th goal in all competitions for Fulham. They have won all four of their away Premier League London derbies this season by an aggregate score of 8-0.

The FA have cleared Arsenal of any wrongdoing after reviewing the wild and chaotic celebrations caused by Reiss Nelson's dramatic stoppage time winner ...

'I've no comment to make on what Arsenal did. [Arsenal](/sport/teampages/arsenal.html) of any wrongdoing after reviewing the wild and chaotic celebrations caused by Reiss Nelson's stoppage time winner against [Bournemouth](/sport/teampages/bournemouth.html) last weekend. [Chris Kavanagh made a note of the celebrations after staff charged on the pitch](/sport/football/article-11826189/FA-looking-Arsenals-wild-celebrations-Reiss-Nelson-winner.html)

Arsenal have proven they can hurdle any obstacle thrown their way this season as they continue to fight for the Premier League title and Europa League ...

"The goalkeeper has to learn from it. He’s got to come and be dominant and win the ball from the corner, but he didn’t do it. He has to learn quickly from his mistakes." The American keeper then made another poor decision to parry a shot straight into the path of Paulinho, who fired in Sporting's second goal of the game. "I'm thinking that I'm going to have to go and head things because I can't necessarily trust him. We spoke about the importance of boxes, especially in a competition when you’re in or out."

Arsenal news: The FA have reached a conclusion in their investigation after Arsenal's celebrations against Bournemouth.

Substitute [Reiss Nelson](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arteta-arsenal-star-trust-sporting-26437073) received the ball in the box and hit a half-volley that evaded everyone and nestled into the back of the net. Amongst the scenes was a jubilant Adding into that moment, it’s really special." It came in the midst of a five-goal thriller in north London that may have swung the title picture once again. The Gunners were under investigation after matchday referee Chris Kavanagh noted the reaction in his referee's report. [Thomas Partey](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arteta-arsenal-star-trust-sporting-26437073) and [Ben White](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arteta-arsenal-star-trust-sporting-26437073) struck back shortly after, but it took until the 97th minute for a final breakthrough to complete the comeback.

Latest Arsenal news includes fan reaction to Takehiro Tomiyasu's performance after replacing Oleksandr Zinchenko in the second half of the 2-2 draw against ...

Interestingly, Arteta has started Tomiyasu at left-back on a number of occasions this season. @King_Emalizzy said: "Tomiyasu has been a better LB than RB this season", @DrewGyebi said: "In my humble opinion the LB position should be Tomiyasu’s bona fide property. "He knows his role – under me he’s played a lot, more than any other player probably compared to the previous players at the club in the last three years and he understands the situation and he needs to challenge the situation." That's his position, that's where he belongs" and @osowxvyy said: "I think we should change Tomiyasu’s position to LB. Looks much more solid in that position." This is evident at left-back in particular as the role no longer requires a marauding defender offering width down that flank; instead

Arsenal news: The Gunners travel to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Sunday looking to take a huge leap towards their first league title since 2004.

[The north Londoners rescued a 2-2 draw against the Liga NOS side thanks to a Hidesmasa Morita's own goal.](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/arsenal-sporting-zinchenko-vieira-draw-26435654) [Mikel Arteta's](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arteta-arsenal-star-trust-sporting-26437073) side will face a quick turnaround on Sunday after travelling to Portugal on Thursday to face Sporting CP in the Europa League. Xhaka has overseen a tremendous turnaround in fortunes at the club under Arteta. [Arsenal](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/) resume their Premier League title battle with Manchester City this weekend with a [trip to Fulham](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/latest-arsenal-injury-news-four-26440437). The Switzerland international returned to Arteta's starting line-up on Thursday after dropping to the bench against Bournemouth. "Believe in yourself," he wrote.

Mikel Arteta is eager to point out that Arsenal will not “rush” Gabriel Jesus back into action after seeing him sit out three months through injury.

[ultimately forced to undergo surgery](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/rehab-begins-arsenal-brazil-jesus-filmed-crutches-surgery-knee-injury/bltb45d6e034ca0821a). Everything is going well, he needs time as well to get himself that confidence and that physical state that is necessary to compete with a free mind and once he's free to do that, we will throw him in.” We will try to make a fair assessment between what he needs and when is comfortable and as well giving the team a boost that it's going to need in the next few weeks for sure.

Arsenal news: Mikel Arteta has made a clear request to his players that echoes a problem mentioned by Gary Neville.

“It sounds like a really simple thing to say but when you concede goals on a run-in, it’s really tough and they’ve conceded two against Bournemouth, they’ve conceded against Brentford, they’ve conceded against [Manchester] United, [Aston] Villa, City. [Gary Neville Podcast](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/gary-neville-arsenal-title-city-26402659) after Arsenal's victory over Bournemouth, he said: “I thought City had a more difficult game [against Newcastle]. They’ve got a real momentum, they've got a spirit building, the fans are with them. The Gunners took the lead in the tie through [William Saliba](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/fa-arsenal-celebrations-bournemouth-investigation-26442993), but Goncalo Inacio drew the home side level from a corner. “In other moments, we had total control of the game and we lost a little bit of threat today, especially with the four players we are missing in our frontline. The Gunners remain five points clear of nearest challengers Manchester City at this stage, but with some big games on the horizon, they will be hopeful of retaining that buffer.

Arsenal news: The Gunners are preparing for a huge match against Fulham this weekend as they look to continue their push for the Premier League title.

Palhinha has been a sensation since joining from Sporting CP in the summer, with his absence leaving huge boots to fill for Silva. However, Arteta's side may have been handed a slight boost going into the game as Marco Silva is set to be without one of his side's key players. The west London outfit have impressed this season and could create a difficult game for the Gunners to find their way through. It's those fine margins that appear to be giving the north London outfit an edge and they may need a few more of those in their favour come late May. With just a few months remaining in the campaign and five points between the two sides, Mikel Arteta will need every bit of help he can get to ensure they get over the line. [Arsenal ](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/arteta-neville-arsenal-city-title-26443800)are in the midst of one of their biggest Premier League season for years, sitting top of the table in a title race against Manchester City.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag hailed goalscoring skipper Bruno Fernandes as the star man in his side's Europa League last-16 first-leg victory ...

Ten Hag named an unchanged side to the one that started at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. But Sporting hit back with a header of their own, Goncalo Inacio glancing in from a set piece before taking a shock lead at the start of the second half after Paulinho tapped in from close range. Elsewhere,Arsenal fought back to earn a 2-2 draw in an action-packed and error-filled Europa League last-16 first leg at Sporting.

All the latest Arsenal news including reaction from the Europa League round of 16 first-leg draw against Sporting CP, along with updates on William Saliba, ...

[has impressed for Arsenal Under-21s despite](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/arsenal-sporting-zinchenko-vieira-draw-26435654) finding it hard to break into the first team given the strong parternship between Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes. Martinelli and Saka have proven to be crucial players for [Mikel Arteta this season](https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/fixtures-results/mikel-arteta-fabio-vieira-arsenal-26435410), each scoring 11 times to sit joint top of the club's scoring charts. "I'm thinking that I'm going to have to go and head things because I can't necessarily trust him. We spoke about the importance of boxes, especially in a competition when you’re in or out." Despite a shaky debut for the Gunners, Kiwior's centre-back partner has now defended him with Saliba admitting he thought the young Polish defender played well. Arsenal head back to the Emirates Stadium with plenty of positives following their 2-2 draw in the Europa League last-16 first-leg clash against Sporting CP.

Arsenal are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League and there are question marks over whether Mikel Arteta's side can handle ...

I think he deserves more minutes than he’s had, especially in the last two months. Vieira, 22, joined the Gunners from Porto last summer and started the 2-2 draw against Sporting. He told reporters, "I’m really happy with him. The Gunners are five points clear of [Manchester City](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/manchester-city-fc) at the top of the table, and they don't want to slip up now. The Spain international then joined Arsenal's rivals [Chelsea](https://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/chelsea-fc) and won two Premier League titles, among other honours. It's an enjoyment and because not a lot of us have been here before, we don't really know how to handle it." [Click here to read the full story...](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/granit-xhaka-arsenal-premier-league-29422663) But in general, I think we are doing well. Speaking after the Sporting game, Xhaka said, "You can see that every team is playing differently against us. "There is much more pressure than before, for sure. They had a week to respond," Fabregas told [Click here to read the full story...](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/arsenal-cesc-fabregas-transfer-wenger-29419661)