Arsenal will shuffle the pack for Sporting CP’s visit to the Emirates, with Gabriel Jesus set to make his first start since the World Cup.
Arsenal will aim to get the better of Sporting CP during their Round of 16 second-leg clash. The Emirates will play host, as Mikel Arteta will seek to put out a solid team to get a win and progress to the quarter-finals. The Gunners’ boss will have a nearly full squad since the recent returns of key stars.
The big story from the Fulham win was the return to action of Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian was the subject of interest for the media during Arteta’s press conference. The manager also gave an update on Eddie Nketiah’s fitness.
Arsenal vs Sporting CP Preview: Probable Lineups, Prediction, Tactics, Team News & Key Stats
On Jesus, Arteta said, “It was great to see him back. You can feel the happiness of everybody around him: supporters, players, and staff. We missed him, and now we’re glad he’s back.”
“We have to manage his minutes, and we have to manage his involvement in the squad and in the team. But Gabby is feeling good every day that he’s training. He says that these senses are getting better and better, so that’s really positive.”
Eddie Nketiah has been absent since the victory over Everton and will remain sidelined until after the international break. Arteta continued, “He’s getting better. He’s still in the boot so still a few weeks away. We need to be patient – it was a nasty injury. It’s a challenge that Eddie’s got ahead of him, but thank God he could have been worse so he’s not in a bad place.”
Arteta could make wholesale changes to the starting lineup, even more than the six he made for the Lisbon leg. Matt Turner will come in goal, while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney could replace Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Gabriel Magalhaes could keep his place in central defence, while Rob Holding could partner with the Brazilian. Jorginho might replace Thomas Partey at the base of midfield, with Granit Xhaka keeping his spot in the team. Fabio Vieira will complete the midfield three.
Arteta might take his chances and allow Emile Smith Rowe and Jesus to make their first starts since their returns from injuries. The latter will play on the left, with the Brazilian leading the line and Reiss Nelson completing the front three. Alternatively, the manager might consider using one of Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli on either wing.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Vieira, Jorginho, Xhaka; Nelson, Jesus, Smith Rowe
