Arsenal host Sporting in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final, bidding to extend their slender one-goal advantage from last week’s away game.
David Raya was the hero at the Estadio Jose Alvalade as Sporting were unable to find a way past the Spaniard, while super-subs Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz combined in injury time for the German to score the only goal of the game.
That win looked to get Arsenal back on track after two dispiriting domestic cup defeats – but their momentum stuttered further in a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League this weekend.
The Gunners are in the driving seat in this quarter-final but Sporting will look to pounce on any weakness, as Arsenal bid to avoid what had looked like an incredible season from falling off the rails.
Follow all the latest updates from the Emirates with our live blog below.
Mikel Arteta gives injury update on Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber ahead of Sporting clash
However, the Arsenal boss admitted he was not sure on the timeline of a return for Timber and Saka, while remaining coy on the situation surrounding Rice.
Declan Rice absence gives Arsenal another injury concern before Sporting clash
Declan Rice dealt Arsenal a significant injury concern on the eve of their decisive Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon after he failed to show for the club’s open training session.
Rice withdrew from England’s recent international against Japan, but returned for Arsenal’s fixtures against Sporting in Lisbon last week and was the stand-in captain for his side’s shock defeat by Bournemouth in the Premier League last weekend.
However, he did not train alongside his team-mates at London Colney on Tuesday. Arsenal could also continue to be without Bukyao Saka, Martin Odegaard, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori, with the quartet also absent from the group session.
Predicted line-ups
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Norgaard, Rice, Madueke, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres
Sporting Lisbon XI: Silva, Fresneda, Diomande, Inacio, Araujo, Braganca, Hjulmand, Catamo, Trincao, Goncalves, Suarez
Sporting team news
Morten Hjulmand returns for Sporting after missing the first leg having picked up too many yellow cards, with Luis Suarez also available despite some confusion over whether he too would be suspended for a multitude of yellows. The booking he received in last week’s first leg turned out to be an administrative error.
Fotis Ionnidis and Luis Guilherme are out for the Portuguese side with injuries but manager Rui Borges can otherwise call on a full-strength side.
Team news
Mikel Merino is a definite absentee for the Gunners with a foot injury. Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori will all be assessed before the game, while Declan Rice will also need a late fitness test after missing training yesterday.
Arsenal v Sporting live
But it’s a slender lead that could easily be overturned and Sporting will look to pounce against Mikel Arteta’s men, who will be bruised after slipping up in the Premier League title race at the weekend.
The Gunners lost 2-1 to Bournemouth and although they remain six points clear of Manchester City they look far from the invincible side who dominated all competitions earlier in the season.
Sporting meanwhile are on a run of three straight league victories and although they were unable to break down David Raya in the first leg, will fancy their chances at the Emirates Stadium.
Good evening
Hello and welcome to The Independent’s live blog coverage of tonight’s Champions League quarter-final second-leg match between Arsenal and Sporting.
The Gunners come into the match with a one-goal lead after a narrow win in Lisbon last week, and Mikel Arteta’s side are looking for the best possible start to a pivotal week as they hope to book a place in the semi-finals of the competition.
We’ll have all the latest build-up, team news and updates right here.
