Match Preview: Sporting CP vs Arsenal
We resume Champions League duties as we face Sporting CP at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon.
The November international break came at the perfect time for Mikel Arteta and his players, as we defeated Nottingham Forest by three goals to nil on Saturday afternoon.
Two stunners from Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey were followed by a first Premier League goal for the new kid on the block, Ethan Nwaneri. The 17-year-old became our second-youngest scorer in the Premier League after Cesc Fabregas.
Nwaneri stood out from the rest after coming on to make his debut during his short cameo against Inter in our previous Champions League encounter.
Sporting sit second in the league table of the new-look Champions League format and will be buoyed by their demolition of 2023 winners of the competition, Manchester City.
Spectacular Sporting
Sporting have been one of the most exceptional teams in Europe, having remained undefeated in both the Champions League and Liga Portugal.
Their flawless Champions League record, which includes victories over Lille, Sturm and Manchester City, is only faulted by a score draw against PSV. However, they are not just succeeding in Europe, but also domestically. A perfect record in the Liga Portugal leaves them at the summit of the table and six points clear of rivals Porto, who are in second place.
Sporting's success so far this season can be narrowed down to one man, Viktor Gyokeres. With 24 goals in just 19 games for Sporting this season, the former Coventry striker is one of the hottest players in Europe. The Swedish star netted a hat-trick versus Manchester City in their last Champions League outing.
However, the departure of their manager, Ruben Amorim, who has left to join Manchester United, leaves the club in a period of transition.
Last time out against Sporting
The second leg of our 2023 Europa League round of 16 matchup at the Emirates was our most recent encounter with the Portuguese team.
The game finished 1-1 after extra time (3-3 aggregate), and we were knocked out in a penalty shootout.
Xhaka gave us the lead in the tie in the 19th minute after he pounced on a rebound. In the second half, a sensational long-range chip by Pedro Goncalves caught Aaron Ramsdale off his line and levelled the tie.
Late in extra time, Sporting's Manuel Ugarte was sent off after a dangerous tackle on Bukayo Saka.
The game went to penalties, and after 7 perfect spot-kicks, Martinelli's attempt was saved. Sporting's Nuno Santos sealed the tie after he scored Sporting's 5th penalty.
Sporting won 5-3 on penalties and booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
What the managers say
Mikel Arteta:
On team news: "Everybody here is fully fit to start the game, and a bonus as well because we have Kieran Tierney back with us after a long injury."
On winning away from home in the Champions League: "I always say the Champions League is about boxes, small margins and details. You have to get all of those right to win, especially away from home."
Joao Pereira:
On if Sporting are prepared to continue their good run in the competition: "The level will increase, the degree of difficulty will be greater, but we are prepared. Arsenal have seven points, having only conceded one goal – and that was a penalty. They are a strong team defensively and will create many difficulties for us with their attacking moves, in which they are very strong."
On if they'll play the same after Ruben Amorim's departure: "Removing Sporting's identity would mean taking away the identity of the players, taking away from them what they are used to doing."
Team News
Arteta confirmed that everyone who travelled to Portugal is fully fit to start the game on Tuesday evening.
This indicates that Declan Rice, who didn't play a single minute on Saturday, is fit and ready to start.
The Spaniard also announced that Kieran Tierney is available to participate tomorrow after a long spell out. He said "It's great news he's back."
Sporting players Eduardo Quaresma and Zeno Debast did not train on Monday and are in doubt for the match, but Joao Pereira did not close the door on the possibility of them playing.
Statistics and Facts
In our six games versus Sporting, we have only ever suffered defeat once. This came in a penalty shootout in March 2023.
We have not won in any of our five Champions League visits to Portugal (D1 L4).
We have only conceded one goal in the Champions League so far this season. Italian teams Atalanta and Inter are the only teams yet to concede.
Sporting have scored nine goals in four Champions League games. In contrast, we have only scored three in our opening four games.
No one has scored more goals than Viktor Gyokeres in the Champions League this season (5).
We are yet to score a goal in the second half of a Champions League match this season.
This will be our first time facing Sporting in the Champions League.
Match Officials
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak will take charge of our match in Portugal. This will be the second match he has officiated in the Champions League this season.
He officiates matches in the Polish top-flight as well as in the Champions League this season.
He has produced 51 cards in 14 games in all competitions this season. This includes one red card in the Polish top-flight. However, he only gave out one card in his only Champions League match this season.
Referee: Szymon Marciniak - Polish
Assistants: Adam Kupsik – Polish, Radosław Siejka – Polish
Fourth Official: Paweł Raczkowski – Polish
VAR: Tomasz Kwiatkowski – Polish
Assistants VAR: Jérôme Brisard - French