Arsenal travel to Lisbon tonight, aiming to secure a vital away result in their Champions League quarter-final first leg.
The Gunners have reached this stage as the tournament’s most dominant defensive unit, conceding just 0.5 goals per match in Europe under Mikel Arteta.
They also arrive with a strong record against tonight’s opponents — unbeaten in seven meetings against Sporting, including a 5-1 win at this very stadium last season.
Arsenal have, however, progressed from just three of their last eight quarter-final ties, a reminder that pedigree alone will not be enough tonight.
Arsenal team news
Mikel Arteta manages a squad bolstered by the return of key senior figures. Notably, Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have travelled and are available after being rested for the weekend’s FA Cup defeat.
Consequently, Rice is expected to anchor the midfield in Portugal. Gabriel Magalhães is also in the squad and trained normally despite an injury scare on Saturday. However, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber remain in London as they failed late fitness tests.
David Raya will start in goal, boasting the best goal-prevention statistics in the competition since the start of last season. In defence, William Saliba will partner Gabriel if the latter is passed 100% fit, with Riccardo Calafiori on the left.
In midfield, Martin Zubimendi and Rice will provide the platform for captain Martin Ødegaard. Notably, Viktor Gyökeres leads the line as he returns to the Estádio José Alvalade for the first time since his summer move. He could become the first player to score both for and against Sporting in Champions League history.
Arsenal predicted lineup
Arsenal Predicted XI (4-3-3): Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Ødegaard; Trossard, Gyökeres, Martinelli
When will the match kick off?
The match is scheduled for an 8pm BST kick-off this Tuesday at the Estádio José Alvalade.
How to watch Sporting vs Arsenal?
UK viewers can watch the match live on Amazon Prime Video from 18:30 BST.
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