A flying Sporting CP are ready for their next big test in the Champions League as they face a resurgent Arsenal side in Lisbon.
It was business as usual for Sporting CP on the pitch as they thrashed third-tier Amarante FC in the Cup and started life without the presence of Ruben Amorim. Joao Pereira has been installed in the new Manchester United manager’s place in Lisbon, as the 40-year-old has signed a contract until 2027.
His first big test as Sporting’s manager would be to continue their impressive Champions League form as they take on Arsenal. The two sides have a recent history, with the Portuguese side coming out on top in their very recent encounter in the Europa League.
However, this season, the two teams are challenging to finish within the top eight, as Sporting have the upper hand for the time being. Last time out in the Champions League, an Amorim-led Sporting side thrashed Manchester City, with Benjamin Sesko scoring a tremendous hattrick, as the Portuguese side sits second in the standings behind leaders Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta will vividly remember the last time his Arsenal side faced Sporting CP, which resulted in key injuries to William Saliba and Takehiro Tomiyasu that brought off the wheels to their title challenge. While the Spanish manager will not exactly be looking for revenge on that aspect, he will certainly challenge his players to come out good in the Champions League and show their mettle in the competition.
Arsenal ended a dreadful run of results with a win and performances that convinced their fanbase of their credentials for the remainder of the season. The Gunners put three goals past Nottingham Forest at the weekend, as a Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard masterclass proved enough.
Arteta will want the same energy when Arsenal takes on Sporting in the Champions League to get back on track in the competition. They are currently outside of the top-eight courtesy of a slender loss at the San Siro against Inter Milan in the most recent matchday. They will come to Portugal to turn their season around in the Champions League, as Sporting will be a difficult place by all means.
Team News & Tactics
Sporting CP
Sporting CP are in relatively good shape ahead of their encounter with Arsenal. Only Nuno Santos and Pedro Goncalves are missing. The former is a long-term absentee with a knee problem. The latter will be a big miss for the hosts, considering how big a player he has been for them.
Maximilian Araujo should replace Santos, while Geny Catamo should deputise for Goncalves in the lineup. Pereira will continue his work with a similar formation featuring a back three and wing-backs, as exciting winger Geovany Quenda and Araujo will feature out wide for the Portuguese side.
Francisco Trincao and Catano should feature in behind star striker Gyokeres. Hidemasa Morita and Morten Hjulmand should continue their midfield partnership, as Joao Pereira had rested a host of his main players for the cup game at the weekend. At the back, Goncalo Inacio should be back alongside Ousmane Diomande and Zeno Debast, as Sporting have a strong setup to feature against Arsenal.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Israel; Debast, Diomande, Inacio; Quenda, Morita, Hjulmand, Araujo; trincao, Catamo; Gyokeres
Arsenal
Mikel Arteta made some surprise changes to his lineup for the Forest game on Saturday, completely resting a few of his key stars. Declan Rice, Kai Havertz, and Gabriel Martinelli sat on the bench and did not play a single minute, as Arsenal managed a big win without the trio.
Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu are out of the equation for the foreseeable future, while Kieran Tierney is well short of match fitness despite returning to training. Those are the only three absentees, although Arteta will also assess Rice’s toe injury before deciding on the midfielder’s inclusion from the start.
In any case, Mikel Merino continued his upward trend in an Arsenal shirt and could continue in the lineup should Rice start from the bench. Thomas Partey was also rested for half the game against Forest, so he should start in that holding role, while Martin Odegaard will keep his place on the right side of the midfield three.
The back four are expected to be the same as Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, who start in those full-back positions. Bukayo Saka should keep his place after a tremendous performance, although Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz are expected to replace Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Jesus, respectively, in the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli
Key Stats
- Sporting CP have drawn their last three matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
- Sporting CP are unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League so far this season.
- Sporting CP have won nine games on the bounce on home soil in all competitions.
- Arsenal ended a three-game winless run with a victory over Forest.
- Arsenal have only one victory in their last seven away games across all competitions.
Player to Watch
Viktor Gyokeres
The Swedish striker has been in top form this season and proven his worth on the big stage with a tremendous hattrick against Manchester City in the most recent Champions League game. Incidentally, Gyokeres has been heavily linked with a host of Premier League sides, including Arsenal, although Mikel Arteta will not want the Swede to be at his best against his side.
Either way, Joao Pereira will want to continue Ruben Amorim’s legacy and preserve their astonishing home form this season. He will wish Gyokeres to do his best against Arsenal. The Swede will be the man in focus as he faces another challenge to show his credentials to his many top suitors, including Arsenal.
Prediction
Sporting CP 2-2 Arsenal
Sporting CP are in a superb vein of form heading into this game, especially with the availability of their players and their tremendous record at home this season. The Primeira Liga champions will want a repeat of the performance they produced against Manchester City and replicate it when Arsenal come here.
However, that game also saw City create plenty of chances on the other end, and this is what Arteta will focus on ahead of Tuesday. The Gunners are showing signs of returning to their best, and with this visit to Lisbon, they will want to keep momentum and not lose. Hence, this game has all the hallmarks of an entertaining draw.