By Matt Smith
These two sides met simply final yr, with Sporting popping out on high following a penalty shootout within the Europa League Spherical of 16.
Diomande again in full coaching
Sporting have acquired an enormous increase as central defender Ousmane Diomande is again in full coaching after lacking their sport towards Amarante within the cup on Friday evening. Zeno Debast and Eduardo Quaresma are doubts for the conflict in Portugal, whereas Nuno Santos and Pedro Gonçalves are long-term absentees.
They will’t cease the Swede
It’s no secret that Viktor Gyökeres has been Sporting’s primary risk this season, scoring 24 targets in 19 appearances in all competitions, with 5 of these coming within the Champions League. One of many deadliest strikers in Europe, Arsenal must be at their finest to maintain him out.
It’s troublesome to understand how Sporting are going to setup with Amorim just lately changed by João Pereira, however the Portuguese outfit have been creating probabilities at will within the Champions League. Within the competitors thus far, solely Liverpool, Inter, Actual Madrid, and Manchester Metropolis have created extra large probabilities than Sporting.
Arteta may rotate
Mikel Arteta noticed the likes of Bukayo Saka, Riccardo Calafiori, Declan Rice, and Leandro Trossard all shake off current harm considerations to make the squad towards Nottingham Forest within the Premier League on the weekend.
The Gunners are already 9 factors behind Liverpool within the race for the Premier League title, so it wouldn’t be a shock to see Arteta relaxation a few of his key stars in Europe, particularly those that have been struggling for health of late.
Arsenal struggling to create
Creating probabilities has been a problem for the Gunners within the Champions League this time period, producing simply 5.1 anticipated targets (xG), rating them 22nd within the competitors. Arteta’s males have remained resolute on the again, conceding simply 0.3 targets per sport, however discovering the again of the web has been an issue.
Solely Kai Havertz and Saka have struck for the Gunners thus far in Europe, with personal targets being their joint-top purpose scorer. Gabriel Martinelli has been Arsenal’s most artistic participant within the Champions League this season, producing 0.51 anticipated assists per 90, however he’s but to arrange a purpose for considered one of his team-mates.
Prediction
It’s troublesome to foretell how Sporting are going to carry out on the continent with out Amorim in cost, however contemplating Arsenal’s defensive report, we’re not anticipating many targets. Gyökeres has been virtually unstoppable this season, however we’re predicting a slim 1-0 win for Arsenal with the Gunners conserving the Swedish worldwide quiet in Portugal.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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