Arsenal welcome Sporting Lisbon to Emirates Stadium in second leg of their Round of 16 tie in 2022-23 UEFA Europa League.
With the tie locked at 2-2 after the first leg, Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon know that victory would see either team advance to the Quarter-Finals.
Team News
Arsenal have no fresh injury concerns to report after their 3-0 Premier League win at Fulham last weekend, although Gabriel Jesus could be rested despite making a substitute appearance as the club manages his return from a lengthy knee injury.
Mohammed Elneny (knee) and Eddie Nketiah (ankle) remain absent.
Sporting Lisbon will welcome midfielder, Manuel Ugarte back from suspension for this return leg.
Sebastian Coates and Hidemasa Morita are both suspended whilst Daniel Braganca (cruciate ligament) remains absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Arsenal host Sporting Lisbon in a 8pm GMT kick-off at Emirates Stadium on Thursday 16 March, with the match broadcast live on BT Sport in UK.
Stat Attack
- Arsenal are yet to lose to Sporting Lisbon in all UEFA competitions (W2, D3).
- Sporting Lisbon lost their only previous visit to the Emirates Stadium by a 1-0 result in October 2018 in this very same competition (L1).
- Arsenal have kept four clean sheets in five previous meetings against Sporting Lisbon.
- Mikel Arteta’s Gunners are yet to concede in their three homes matches in this season’s Europa League (W3), during which they scored five goals.
- Sporting has scored first in each of their four away matches in all UEFA competitions this season (W2, D1, L1).
Prediction
Having put their defensive dip behind them with a dominant victory at Fulham, Arsenal certainly will come into this home match with huge belief that they can reach the Quarter-Finals, especially if they’re as clinical and controlled as they were at Craven Cottage.
Sporting though do have enough quality to cause Arsenal some serious issues aided by their strong European away form, with the opening goal in each of their four away trips which will make the first goal all the more important for both teams.
Arsenal though do have Jesus back but I personally feel like he would be better off coming on as an impact substitute, because he will be crucial in their run-in so it isn’t worth rushing him back into the starting line-up when got Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli in strong form up front.
Now if those two can click like they’ve done in recent games then I fancy the Gunners to just edge this contest.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Sporting Lisbon
Result: Arsenal 1-1 Sporting Lisbon (Tie level 3-3 on aggregate, Sporting Lisbon wins 5-3 on penalties!!)
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