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Arsenal predicted line-up against Sporting CP

By on March 8, 2023

Arsenal will be travelling to the Portuguese capital Lisbon to take on Sporting CP in the first leg of the Europa League round of 16 tie on Thursday evening.

Despite trailing 2-0, the Gunners enjoyed a breathtaking 3-2 comeback victory over the relegation-threatened Bournemouth in the Premier League last weekend and Mikel Arteta’s side will be looking to keep their winning run going in tomorrow’s encounter.

Meanwhile, Sporting have been enjoying a brilliant time in recent weeks as they have won the last four consecutive fixtures in all competitions and therefore, they will be full of confidence ahead of this game.

So, Arsenal will have to be at their best over the two legs to overcome Ruben Amorim’s side’s challenge in this tie and secure their place in the quarter-final.

Expected Arsenal line-up

Matt Turner has been Mikel Arteta’s preferred choice for the cup competitions. So, he may return in goal, meaning Aaron Ramsdale will be given a midweek breather.

Rob Holding started in all of Arsenal’s Europa League’s group-stage matches but William Saliba is likely to get the nod ahead of the Englishman in Arsenal’s backline tomorrow. And alongside the Frenchman, new January signing Jakub Kiwior could finally make his debut in the Gunners’ colours, giving Gabriel Magalhaes a midweek off.

Takehiro Tomiyasu could start once again at right back and Oleksandr Zinchenko should continue on the opposite side as Kieran Tierney is expected to miss out through injury. So, Ben White may be given a rest against Sporting ahead of a tricky Fulham trip.

Jorginho is likely to start in the holding midfielder role, replacing Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka might be paired up with the Italian. Martin Odegaard would be in the number 10 position for Arsenal so, Fabio Vieira will go back to the bench.

Leandro Trossard was taken off before the interval after sustaining a groin issue against the Cherries so, he is set to miss out on this fixture. Emile Smith Rowe is expected to fill the Belgian’s void in the starting eleven and could be on the left flank.

Bukayo Saka is set to continue in the right-wing role and Gabriel Martinelli will be deployed in the centre-forward position. So, despite making an impressive impact in the last game after coming on off the bench, Reiss Nelson could once again be among the Arsenal substitutes.

Eddie Nketiah was absent in the last game due to an ankle problem and could remain sidelined on Thursday. On the other hand, despite returning to full training after recovering from a knee injury, Gabriel Jesus is expected to remain sidelined in this game along with Mohamed Elneny.

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