Champions League | League Stage

Nov 26, 2024 at 8pm UK

Estadio Jose Alvalade

Sporting Lisbonvs.Arsenal

Match preview

It seems that a two-week reset was just what Mikel Arteta and his team needed, as they enjoyed a near-perfect afternoon against a solid Nottingham Forest side. This result marks the end of Arsenal's disheartening four-game winless streak in the Premier League.

Two amazing goals from Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey were followed by a first Premier League goal from Ethan Nwaneri, who is probably the most popular scorer. The 17-year-old became the second-youngest Arsenal player to register in the Premier League after Cesc Fàbregas.

Nwaneri also shone at the San Siro a few weeks ago, but the teenager couldn't save Arsenal's bacon after a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty, which saw Inter Milan win 1-0 and condemn the Gunners to their first UCL loss of the season.

Arsenal are now in 12th place in the 36-team rankings after suffering their first defeat and conceding their first goal in the new-look Champions League. However, they are only two points off a place in the top eight, which would guarantee safe passage into the knockout rounds.

Arsenal's lack of teeth in Milan is now a thing of the past with Martin Odegaard back in the fold, but away days in the Champions League have been a challenge for them recently. They've gone five without a win on the road in the competition and haven't scored in their last four.

Only one Premier League side has ever gone five straight away games in Europe's premier tournament without scoring – Manchester United from 2004 to 2005. Even without Amorim, Sporting have every reason to believe they can condemn Arsenal to that unwanted fate.

João Pereira has taken over from the former head coach, who is now at Manchester United. He started off with a six-goal win against Amarante on Friday in the Taca de Portugal. Viktor Gyokeres, who is thought to be on Arsenal's radar, scored in that game.

The brilliant Swedish player has also had success against Premier League teams recently. In Amorim's last Champions League match in charge of Sporting, Gyokeres scored a hat-trick to help the Primeira Liga leaders beat Manchester City 4-1 at Estadio José Alvalade.

Only perfect Liverpool have done better than second-placed Sporting in the current UCL campaign. Pereira's men are looking for a great 10th consecutive victory in all competitions on Tuesday. They've already had nine straight successes, which have brought a staggering 31 goals.

The hosts are also on a fantastic winning streak at home, with 14 games unbeaten since March's 1-1 draw with Atalanta BC in the Europa League. They knocked Arsenal out of the 2022-23 Europa League last 16 on penalties, but they've yet to beat the Gunners in a 90-minute game.

Recent Performance

Sporting Lisbon Champions League form:WDWW

Sporting Lisbon form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Arsenal Champions League form:DWWL

Arsenal form (all competitions):DWLLDW

Team News

There's been a big change in the Arsenal medical room over the past couple of weeks. Kieran Tierney is back, so only Ben White (knee) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) will miss Tuesday's match because of injury.

All of Riccardo Calafiori, Saka, Leandro Trossard and Declan Rice have recovered from their recent injuries and are ready to play against Forest. However, Rice will only be an unused substitute as Arteta has made a few surprising choices for the starting lineup, including bringing Jorginho and Gabriel Jesus into the first XI.

However, it looks like Rice will almost certainly get his rightful spot back in the visitors' starting lineup, which should also include the well-rested Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz. The only question mark is whether Partey or Mikel Merino will play in the engine room.

Sporting will be without Nuno Santos and Pedro Goncalves, while Pereira will also be checking whether Zeno Debast and Eduardo Quaresma are fit to play after they were struggling with muscular issues.

With Goncalves set to be out for a few more weeks with a muscle injury, ex-Tottenham Hotspur youngster Marcus Edwards – who scored twice in the thrashing of Amarante – could be given the nod in a fearsome front three with Trincao and the prolific Gyokeres.

Gyokeres, who plays for Coventry City, has already scored or assisted on 28 goals in just 19 appearances this season.

Possible starting lineup

Sporting Lisbon possible starting lineup:

Israel; Reis, Inacio, Diomande; Quenda, Morita, Hjulmand, Araujo; Trincao, Gyokeres, Edwards

Arsenal possible starting lineup:

Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Odegaard, Partey, Rice; Saka, Havertz, Martinelli