Arsenal needed a lucky own goal from a Granit Xhaka cross to salvage a point on the Atlantic Coast and stay on course for a Premier and Europa League double.
Mikel Arteta made six changes to his title favourites and saw stand-in keeper Matt Turner put in an unsteady display between the sticks for his disjointed team.
Sporting Lisbon fans started this rollercoaster last 16 tie with a rousing rendition of My Way and then watched their side fight back from an early William Saliba header to score twice - and striker Paulinho missed a great chance to give the brave Lions a 3-1 lead just after the hour. But moments later Xhaka’s cross took a massive deflection off Japanese midfielder Hidemasa Morita before finding the net to ensure this feisty tie will start all level at the Emirates Stadium next Thursday.
