Arsenal will look for a stellar performance to gain passage into the quarter-finals as they welcome Sporting CP at the Emirates.
Despite watching his side fight for a draw in Lisbon, Mikel Arteta never looked fazed by the first-leg performance. William Saliba opened the scoring for Arsenal, who got pegged back by goals from Goncalo Inacio, and Paulinho, which put Sporting CP into the lead.
An own goal from Hidemasa Morita put the Gunners back on track, with everything to gain in the second leg. The 2-2 result was good from Arsenal’s perspective. They will now likely take on their opponents at the Emirates and have a better chance of progressing into the quarter-finals.
The captain seals a commanding team performance 🤩 pic.twitter.com/nMm9a3wwxS
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 13, 2023
Arteta will have seen a response from his side at the weekend when they swept Fulham aside. The Cottagers did not react to Arsenal’s three first-half goals, which let them retain their five-point advantage at the top of the Premier League.
Ruben Amorim will take his team to north London for the second time this season, having already faced Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham in the Champions League. While that game ended in a draw, he would hope for a better result against the Gunners.
Like the Gunners, Amorim’s side saw a fitting response as Sporting CP defeated Boavista. The win did not improve their standing in the Portuguese league, as they remain in fourth, some 15 points behind leaders Benfica.
Amorim can take his side’s seven-game unbeaten run and ten-game scoring run as a sign of confidence before facing the Premier League leaders. Sporting CP will hope for passage into the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2017/18 season.
Team News & Tactics
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta will have been happy to see a near-full squad at his disposal, as Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus provided a fitness boost. The Belgian was doubtful with a groin problem but started against Fulham and remains in contention for the Sporting CP clash.
Two days to go. @EuropaLeague ✨ pic.twitter.com/MwKrGGyDa8
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 14, 2023
Meanwhile, Jesus returned from a severe knee injury and seemed sharp on the pitch against Fulham. There are questions about whether Arteta would start the Brazilian against Sporting. He could have a role to play in the game, possibly from the bench.
Alternatively, with Eddie Nketiah still injured, Arteta could start Jesus on Thursday and preserve Trossard for the weekend. He could also rotate his wide attacking options, with Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe in contention for a start.
One of Jakub Kiwior or Rob Holding could start in central defence. Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney will play the full-back roles. Fabio Vieira and Jorginho could come into central midfield, with Granit Xhaka likely to keep his place.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Vieira, Jorginho, Xhaka; Nelson, Jesus, Smith Rowe
Sporting CP
The 2-2 draw at home with Arsenal did come at a cost for the in-demand Ruben Amorim. The Sporting CP boss will be without key players Hidemasa Morita and Sebastian Coates for the return leg at the Emirates. The duo picked up yellow cards, which rules them out of this game.
LIS ✈️ LON#SportingCP #UEL pic.twitter.com/gBVcdZttjk
— Sporting CP English (@SportingCP_en) March 15, 2023
On the brighter side, Manuel Ugarte will be available after serving a suspension in the first leg. He should replace Morita in central midfield. Matheus Reis could come in central defence and replace Coates there.
Meanwhile, there will be no return for Hector Bellerin at the Emirates. The right-back misses out with an injury and joins Daniel Braganca on the sidelines. Antonio Adan will Lineup between the sticks for Sporting, with a back three of Ousmane Diomande, Inacio and Reis.
Nuno Santos and Ricardo Esgaio will line up as wing-backs, with Ugarte and Pote taking up the midfield roles. Marcus Edwards was a bright spark for Sporting in the first leg, and he should keep his place. The forward will have Trincao and Paulinho in the attack, with the latter leading the line.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Adan; Diamonde, Inacio, Reis; Esgaio, Pote, Ugarte, Santos; Trincao, Paulinho, Edwards
Key Stats
- Arsenal have won all their home games in the Europa League this season.
- Arsenal have scored at least two goals in their last four games in all competitions.
- Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in their last four Europa League home games.
- Sporting CP have failed to win their last-9 games in England since the 2004/05 season.
- Sporting CP are unbeaten in seven games and are on a 10-game scoring spree across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Matt Turner
The goalkeeper has yet to play much but seems content with taking up the deputy role behind Ramsdale. However, he has proven his worth in an Arsenal shirt and has played strongly despite this being his first season in Europe.
Yet, there were some shaky moments in the first leg against Sporting, something he will want to rectify. There are no guarantees in this Arsenal side under Mikel Arteta for any player, let alone Turner. With a good display in the second leg, the American can keep his place for the latter stages of the Europa League.
Prediction
Arsenal 2-1 Sporting CP
The Gunners are clear favourites to take the contest under their control at the Emirates. The first leg result may be seen as a blip, and Mikel Arteta will aim to rectify that with a comfortable win at home. They have good form in the tournament and have yet to concede a single goal in their last four games at the venue.
Sporting CP will have more to lose from this clash, but as they are missing a few key players, Arsenal could make life difficult. The Portuguese side could have a go at scoring a goal or so. But the Gunners have the firepower to take the win and progress into the quarter-finals.
