Arsenal 1-1 Sporting LIVE! Extra-time
Arsenal vs Sporting – LIVE!
Arsenal look to seal their place in the Europa League quarter-finals as they host Sporting at the Emirates Stadium tonight. The last-16 tie is in the balance after a chaotic first-leg in Portugal finished 2-2, and the Gunners will be looking for more control this time.
Since last week’s match, Mikel Arteta’s side have cruised past Fulham to stay five points clear at the top of the Premier League, with Gabriel Jesus coming off the bench to make his long-awaited return from injury. The Brazilian makes his first start since the World Cup tonight, while Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard drop to the Gunners’ bench.
Sporting were themselves comfortable winners over the weekend, and sit fourth in Primeira Liga. They drew with Tottenham earlier this season in the Champions League on their last visit to north London. Follow all the action with our LIVE blog below, featuring expert analysis from Simon Collings at the ground.
Arsenal vs Sporting latest news
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RED CARD! Ugarte sent off late in extra-time
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WOODWORK! Trossard effort turned onto the post
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GOAL! Goncalves with stunning equaliser
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GOAL! Xhaka fires Arsenal in front
Arsenal FC 1 – 1 Sporting Clube de Portugal
22:34 , Matt Verri
120 mins: Sporting now kicking anything and everything that moves. Stopping any sort of Arsenal counter at source.
One minute added on – not sure how it’s only that.
RED CARD!
22:32 , Matt Verri
Another header at goal, another brilliant save!
Sporting break, lose the ball though and here come Arsenal on the counter. Or not… Ugarte FLIES in on Saka.
Awful challenge, second yellow card and he’s off. Sporting down to ten.
22:31 , Matt Verri
117 mins: WHAT A SAVE!
Odegaard swings the free-kick in, Gabriel powers the header at goal but Adan somehow gets down to keep it out. Superb goalkeeping.
22:30 , Matt Verri
116 mins: Arsenal seemingly are going to refuse to shoot.
Saka’s cross deflects perfectly into the path of Trossard in the box, opts to try and backheel it to Odegaard rather than getting a shot away. Never going to come off.
The Gunners will have a free kick though, Martinelli gets clattered.
22:29 , Matt Verri
114 mins: Lovely build-up from Arsenal, even with Trossard limping around in midfield after getting a kick.
Odegaard overhits the pass inside to Saka though, again a sloppy ball lets the Gunners down.
They stay on the attack though, Martinelli with the cut-back to Trossard but he can’t take it in his stride.
22:26 , Matt Verri
112 mins: Martinelli gets back brilliantly, Sporting were threatening to break but the Brazilians slides in to intercept the pass.
Gabriel though is once again far too keen to win the ball back, pushing high up the pitch and giving away a needless foul.
22:24 , Matt Verri
110 mins: It’s all Arsenal now. Odegaard picking the ball up in space, nearly plays Saka and then Trossard in. Can’t quite get the right weight of pass though.
Sporting happy enough to slow things down now, they’d be delighted with penalties.
22:22 , Matt Verri
108 mins: Martinelli on the left, slides the pass to Trossard and he clips a cross into the six-yard box.
Odegaard gets across his man at the near post, can only lob the effort well wide though.
22:20 , Matt Verri
106 mins: Partey from distance… that wasn’t far away at all!
Ran onto it and caught the strike really sweetly, just whipped wide of the far post though.
HT: Arsenal 1-1 Sporting (agg 3-3)
22:17 , Matt Verri
105 minutes played, 15 to go.
Feels like the momentum is with Arsenal…
Simon Collings at the Emirates
22:16 , Matt Verri
Odegaard has made a difference already. Upped the tempo and helping Arsenal press higher up the pitch.
Crowd have responded to it.
22:16 , Matt Verri
105 mins: Arsenal having a good spell as the crowd get involved – bit of a melee in the middle of the Sporting. Believe it or not, Xhaka is right there.
One minute added on, might be a bit more than that now.
22:13 , Matt Verri
102 min: Odegaard with his trademark cheerleading, wants more noise from the crowd and they respond.
Gabriel gets in the spirit of things and slides in on Chermiti. Referee very keen to march over and demand the striker gets up.
22:11 , Matt Verri
100 mins: Inacio runs into Partey, gets a forearm in the face but wins a free-kick in the process.
Arsenal make their final change, Odegaard is on for Vieira.
22:08 , Matt Verri
97 mins: Zinchenko with the ball over the top for Saka, bit too much on it. The winger tries to knock it out for a throw-in, it’s already gone behind for a goal-kick too.
OFF THE POST! Chermiti has played Trossard clean through with an awful pass, Adan gets a big touch and it bounces back off the post!
22:05 , Matt Verri
94 mins: White charges up the pitch to intercept a loose Sporting pass, looks to slide Vieira in on goal but overhits the pass. Another chance goes begging.
Been some decent enough build-up play from the Gunners, but there’s been far too much sloppy passing chucked in too.
22:03 , Matt Verri
92 mins: Arsenal straight on the front foot, Saka with space on the right wing.
Played inside, Trossard’s flick through to Vieira, who tries a flick of his own that was never on. Move breaks down, frustration in the stands after that from Vieira.
Back underway!
22:00 , Matt Verri
Here we go, first-half of extra time is up and running.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
21:59 , Matt Verri
Jesus is off now but he is still trying to have an influence. He just called Martinelli over for a chat and now speaks to Saka too.
FT: Arsenal 1-1 Sporting (agg 3-3)
21:56 , Matt Verri
Extra-time it is!
Not what Arsenal wanted at all, been a messy night from the Gunners. Can still get themselves through though.
21:55 , Matt Verri
90+3 mins: Decent delivery from Trossard, whistle goes though and Sporting have a free-kick. Was a bit rough from Gabriel in the six-yard box.
That will pretty much be that. Another 30 minutes surely coming up.
21:54 , Matt Verri
90+2 mins: There has been some really poor passing from Arsenal in the second-half, so sloppy on the ball.
Trossard has drifted out to the left, looking to finally get himself involved after a quiet 45 minutes. He wins a corner.
21:52 , Matt Verri
90 mins: Paulinho off for Sporting, Chermiti on up front.
Will there be one last chance for either side to win this in normal time? We’re going to have four minutes added on.
21:49 , Matt Verri
87 mins: Saka in behind, lobs a decent ball into the six-yard box but nobody in a red shirt has made the run.
Arsenal starting to come on strong, getting those overloads out wide. That is until Gabriel comes flying out of defence to make a silly foul.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
21:47 , Matt Verri
Arsenal want to go through here, but extra-time is an expensive price to pay. Not quite the “special night” Arteta wanted so far.
21:46 , Matt Verri
85 mins: Huge appeals for handball… offside flag is up. Stand down.
Trossard slides Saka in, flag initially stays down. Cut back finds Martinelli at the back post, his effort looks to be blocked by an arm but it doesn’t matter. Saka was offside.
21:45 , Matt Verri
84 mins: Impossible to predict which way this is going to go. Mistake from White and Sporting can get on the attack, their turn to win a corner.
Xhaka heads it out, and Sporting are forced all the way back to Adan in goal.
21:44 , Matt Verri
82 mins: Arsenal starting to sustain their attacks. Xhaka gets in down the side, can’t produce the cut back though and has to settle for a corner.
Trossard swings it in, Xhaka there at the back post but he flicks the header wide. Couldn’t quite stretch enough.
21:41 , Matt Verri
79 mins: More like it, a bit of urgency from Martinelli and he wins a free-kick in a really good position. Half the Arsenal team standing over this. Not far off 30 yards out. This is screaming Partey.
Apparently not, it’s Vieira who whips it over the wall and Adan makes a pretty comfortable save.
21:39 , Matt Verri
77 mins: No away goals rule remember, so we’re heading to extra-time if it stays like this.
Sporting aren’t settling for that, still well on top. Edwards skips to the byline, looks to fire the ball across the face of goal but it’s straight at Ramsdale.
21:36 , Matt Verri
75 mins: Ramsdale fine to continue though, imagine he’s tasting a bit of blood.
Corner taken short by Edwards, comes to Trincao and Sporting lose it. What an awful routine.
21:35 , Matt Verri
73 mins: Ramsdale took that square in the face, the replays show. Needs some treatment.
Not really what you want on a cold, raining night. Turner is warming up.
21:33 , Matt Verri
71 mins: Arsenal stunned as the referee blows for a free-kick, Paulinho down again after a challenge from Holding. He’s bemused, and that’s not helped when the yellow card then comes out too.
HUGE SAVE RAMSDALE! Edwards clean through on goal, Ramsdale denies him. Massive moment.
21:32 , Matt Verri
70 mins: Arsenal already look better since those two changes, Partey makes such a big difference in midfield. Saka not a bad option to have coming off the bench either.
Martinelli looks to drive down the left, nobody up with him though and has to turn back.
Pretty special!
21:31 , Matt Verri
21:29 , Matt Verri
67 mins: Another Sporting corner, Emirates pretty quiet now. Away end is bouncing.
Cleared initially, lobbed back into the box though. Arsenal really shaky all of a sudden, haven’t said that much this season.
21:27 , Matt Verri
65 mins: Arsenal are really rattled. Paulinho heads over from a corner, Sporting piling on the pressure.
Arteta responds. Saka and Partey on, Nelson and Jorginho the two to make way.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
21:25 , Matt Verri
The Sporting bench enjoyed that one. They all ran onto the pitch and mobbed Goncalves. Amorim tries to keep his cool though and ushers them back. Game on.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-1 Sporting | Pedro Goncalves 62′
21:24 , Matt Verri
UNBELIEVABLE GOAL!
Goncalves from pretty much the halfway line has spotted Ramsdale off his line and launched an effort at goal that has floated perfectly over the goalkeeper!
Sensational from the Sporting man.
21:22 , Matt Verri
60 mins: There is Trossard, as Xhaka nods the ball down into his path. Runs it out of play under pressure though.
Arteta fairly agitated on the touchline, he won’t be thrilled with what he’s seen in the last 15 minutes.
21:19 , Matt Verri
58 mins: Jorginho slightly late on Paulinho, who makes sure everyone in north London knows he has been fouled.
Sporting still on top, Arsenal struggling to get any sort of control. Trossard not involved at all since he’s come on.
21:17 , Matt Verri
55 mins: Ramsdale taking his sweet time over a goal-kick, away fans at that end making their feelings known. Arsenal going very early if they’ve decided time-wasting is required.
Zinchenko not exactly in a rush to take a throw-in either, before booting the ball up the pitch.
21:14 , Matt Verri
53 mins: Martinelli breaking away down the left, until Ugarte comes flying in and halts his progress. Right in front of Arteta, who didn’t like that at all.
Ugarte got a bit of the ball, but he got all of Martinelli. Yellow card for the midfielder.
21:13 , Matt Verri
52 mins: Sporting have started the half pretty well, as they did the start of the match.
Cross is fired into the near post, Ramsdale does well to parry that away under pressure. Arsenal on the ropes a bit.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
21:12 , Matt Verri
Suspect that Jesus sub at half-time is because Arsenal only have one more ‘sub window’ left.
So if Jesus didn’t come at half-time, him coming off would be the last time Arsenal could make a sub in 90 mins.
21:09 , Matt Verri
48 mins: Surely not. Gabriel now down for Arsenal.
He stretched to block an effort from Paulinho, really good defending. He’s back up, looks to be fine. That would have been the last thing Arsenal needed!
Back underway!
21:06 , Matt Verri
Up and running again at the Emirates.
A change for Arsenal, with Jesus brought off and Trossard coming on. Got to imagine that was always the plan.
The different at the break…
21:00 , Matt Verri
Simon Collings at the Emirates
20:53 , Matt Verri
Arsenal started slowly but improved after first 15 minutes. Good goal from Xhaka, which was created by an excellent Jorginho pass.
Sporting look threatening on break, though, and Arsenal without Saliba and Tomiyasu after both went off injured.
HT: Arsenal 1-0 Sporting (3-2 agg)
20:50 , Matt Verri
Arsenal really need half-time. Ugarte now brings the ball forward, fires at goal and it flicks just wide. Corner.
Swung in to the near post, headed wide by Trincao. And that’s half-time in north London.
20:48 , Matt Verri
45+2 mins: Xhaka into the book, joins Vieira on a yellow card.
Trincao turns and drives into the Arsenal half, Xhaka brings him down fairly cynically. Doesn’t even bother to moan about the yellow.
20:47 , Matt Verri
45 mins: Swung in, over everyone and straight out for a goal-kick. Some hopeful appeals for a penalty in the middle – definitely not.
Four minutes added on after those injuries to Tomiyasu and Saliba.
20:46 , Matt Verri
44 mins: Sporting having a better period at the moment, Arsenal looking a bit more vulnerable. They just need to see it through until half-time.
The visitors are pressing though, Edwards tries his luck from distance and it’s deflected behind for a corner.
20:43 , Matt Verri
41 mins: Brilliant run from St Juste, nobody went with him.
Picked it up on the halfway, charged through the Arsenal midfield all the way to the edge of the box, and fires an effort over the bar.
Gabriel put him under pressure by flying in on the slide, which St Juste didn’t particularly appreciate. Gabriel didn’t particularly care.
20:41 , Matt Verri
40 mins: Good pressing from Xhaka, Arsenal win the ball back on the edge of the Sporting box.
Fired into Martinelli, looks to slide Jesus in first-time… blocked. Ball hammered up the pitch, brief moment of panic for Arsenal but it runs through for Ramsdale to clear.
20:39 , Matt Verri
37 mins: Jesus is causing Sporting’s defence plenty of problems, floating around everywhere.
He’s involved again as the ball is played wide to Martinelli, comes through to Xhaka. Sporting half-clear it, back to White and then the offside flag goes up.
20:35 , Matt Verri
34 mins: Nelson with a great run, plays the ball out wide to Martinelli. He can’t quite pick out a cute pass into the middle.
Threat is still there from Sporting on the counter, but Arsenal are pretty comfortably taking control now.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
20:33 , Matt Verri
There is not a more entertaining referee than Lahoz.
Showing his defensive skills there with a perfect block as Arsenal try to play a corner to the edge of the box.
20:32 , Matt Verri
31 mins: Jesus already looks right up to speed. Into the box, drifting away from challenges and gets the shot away, kept out at the near post.
He’s there for the rebound too, bounces back off him though and out for a goal-kick.
20:30 , Matt Verri
29 mins: Clever Arsenal corner routine, ruined by some wonderful defending from the referee. Blocked Zinchenko off.
Sporting break, Edwards onto his left foot but the shot is blocked. All of a sudden it’s become very end-to-end, which is not what Arteta will want to say. That man likes control.
20:28 , Matt Verri
27 mins: Jesus with space to drive at the Sporting defence, and he does just that.
Played wide to Zinchenko, he slips in Martinelli. Looks to fire the ball across the face of goal, deflected behind for a corner.
20:25 , Matt Verri
23 mins: Jesus down in the box, more penalty appeals… offside!
The Brazilian was beyond the last man, so VAR won’t need to look at that potential foul. Looks like there was contact too.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
20:23 , Matt Verri
Another injury for Arsenal as this time Saliba goes off. Suddenly the mood is sucked out of the Emirates after that goal.
20:23 , Matt Verri
Immediately followed by bad news for the Gunners, Saliba hobbles off with an injury. Holding on to replace him.
Two injury blows for Arsenal in the space of 20 minutes.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Sporting | Granit Xhaka 19′
20:20 , Matt Verri
ARSENAL TAKE THE LEAD!
Their first good spell of the match and it’s brought the opening goal.
Martinelli played in on the left, his shot is saved but the rebound falls for Xhaka and he slams it into the back of the net.
20:20 , Matt Verri
18 mins: Arsenal want a penalty, referee is swiftly on the scene wagging his finger though.
The hosts have finally woken up, causing Sporting problems now. Vieira it was who chested the ball down in the box, went down… not getting a decision for that though.
20:17 , Matt Verri
16 mins: Jesus dropping deep to try and get involved, with Arsenal struggling to play their way up the pitch.
This is better, Zinchenko and Jesus combine out on the left. Jesus plays the ball inside, Martinelli wasn’t expecting it though.
Arsenal stay on the attack, Nelson whips a great cross into the box and Jesus forces a save.
20:14 , Matt Verri
13 mins: Sporting much the better side so far, a roar from the Emirates meets Trincao firing an effort wide. Home crowd trying to get their team going.
Trincao was played in down the right, cut inside onto his left foot and hammered an effort wide of the far post.
20:12 , Matt Verri
11 mins: Arsenal slowing things down as they keep the ball at the back, trying to get themselves into this match after a slow start.
Front three yet to get involved, Martinelli and Nelson haven’t had a kick.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
20:11 , Matt Verri
A blow for Arsenal as Tomiyasu goes off injured, but it does mean they now have their first-choice defence and goalkeeper on the pitch at least.
20:10 , Matt Verri
8 mins: Tomiyasu hurt himself as he stretched to try and halt Trincao and he’s gone done off the ball. Looks like his night could be over already.
And it is, White is on to replace him. Frustrating start for Tomiyasu and the Gunners.
20:07 , Matt Verri
6 mins: Lovely bit of skill from Trincao, too good for Tomiyasu who loses his footing for good measure as he bundles into the winger. Free-kick for the visitors, up come the defenders.
Taken short, Edwards unable to get a cross in though and Arsenal can clear. Or not, Vieira loses it straight away. Arsenal yet to get going.
Simon Collings at the Emirates
20:04 , Matt Verri
Noticeable how Gabriel Jesus is already ordering his team-mates about. He is leading the press and telling others to get higher up the pitch.
Arsenal have missed his leadership.
20:04 , Matt Verri
3 mins: Back pass to Adan briefly gets Jesus’ attention, Brazilian unable to catch up with it though.
Sporting seeing a decent amount of the ball in the opening minutes, confident enough start from the visitors.
KICK-OFF!
20:01 , Matt Verri
We’re up and running at the Emirates!
19:58 , Matt Verri
Teams are out onto the pitch.
Time for the Europa League anthem, always the highlight of the night. Not long now, Arsenal fans, until you don’t have to hear this. Not long now.
Not long now!
19:53 , Matt Verri
Players will be in the tunnel in the next couple of minutes or so.
Just this match and then a home clash against Crystal Palace this weekend for Arsenal before the international break. Two wins and things will be looking very rosy heading into April.
More shooting practice needed…
19:48 , Matt Verri
Sporting’s players not exactly banging the goals in during the warm-up. Some fairly wayward finishing.
Maybe they’re just saving themselves for when it actually matters…
Kroenke outlines vision
19:41 , Matt Verri
Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke earlier this week outlined his desire to win the biggest trophies after announcing a board restructure.
In what Arsenal describe as a “simple evolution” of the leadership structure of the club, Stan and Josh Kroenke have been made co-chairs and Tim Lewis is now executive vice-chair.
Stan Kroenke said: “This is a simple evolution as part of us all driving Arsenal forward and further reaffirms our family’s long-standing commitment to this great club.
“Stability in football has never been more important as we move past the pandemic and we believe this is the perfect time to formalise these roles.
“Our objectives and ambition will never waver – to field teams that compete for trophies at the highest level and lead our club in a way that inspires our passionate supporters around the world.”
Warm-up time at the Emirates!
19:39 , Matt Verri
Arteta’s pre-match thoughts…
19:30 , Matt Verri
“It is a big [European night]. We haven’t had one for a while, with Covid. We expect the team to put in the level that is required today with our people and to win the game.
“You are in or you are out. We have made some changes, but you have to put a team that is capable of winning and competing at the highest level.
“We approach every competition daily. The priority is tonight, to perform at the highest level individually and collectively.”
Odegaard: New signings can ensure Arsenal stay strong
19:24 , Matt Verri
Martin Odegaard has played down concerns that a deep run in Europe could impact Arsenal‘s title challenge,
Asked if Arsenal can win the Europa League and maintain their League form, Odegaard told Standard Sport: “Yes. The last transfer window was really great. The additions have really given a lot to the team in terms of different qualities. Also off the pitch, for example Jorginho is an experienced guy who has won a lot of things.
“They all look great and are great additions to the squad. You saw the other day [in Lisbon] they’re all great players.
“When they came into the team, I think they felt part of the squad and the family from day one. It’s the way this club is. That’s what good about this team, we’re so connected and we make everyone adapt quickly. That’s what we did with the new signings too.”
He added: “We want to win every game, we want to win everything we’re part of. We’re going to fight to win everything we can.”
Back in action!
19:19 , Matt Verri
Arteta confident over Kroenke ambitions
19:13 , Matt Verri
Mikel Arteta says he is convinced that Arsenal‘s ambitious owners will continue to back him to deliver a sustained period of success for the club.
On Monday, the Spaniard was named Manager of the Year, as Arsenal became the first club to win a clean sweep of the four top gongs at the London Football Awards, reflecting their commanding position at the top of the Premier League.
Arsenal’s breakthrough season caps a dramatic turnaround for both Arteta and the club’s owners, the Kroenke family, who were facing intense pressure from supporters in the wake of the doomed European Super League plot less than two years ago.
Speaking to Standard Sport, Arteta believes the Kroenkes’ patience has paid off and says they have “big ambitions” for the future of the club.
“It took some time to position themselves where they wanted in terms of how much of the club they own and how much they could decide and how much they could really benefit the club in the way they believe is right,” Arteta said. “I believe they were really patient in exactly the right way. Now they have shown they are fully committed, they have big ambitions and they are fully behind the club to give everything they can to make it successful.
“I am convinced the owners will continue to do everything to make us very successful and continue to invest in the club in the right way.”
Read the full interview here
Simon Collings at the Emirates
19:04 , Matt Verri
Jesus returns!
18:57 , Matt Verri
A first start back for Gabriel Jesus, big news for Arsenal ahead of a crucial final two months of the season.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard get a rest as they drop to the bench, with Reiss Nelson starting out wide and Fabio Vieira coming into the midfield. Jorginho replaces Thomas Partey.
Mikel Arteta has opted against sticking with Matt Turner in goal in Europe, with Aaron Ramsdale starting.
Sporting team news
18:54 , Matt Verri
Sporting XI: Adan, Inacio, Diomande, St. Juste, Reis, Ugarte, Goncalves, Esgaio, Trincao, Paulinho, Edwards
Subs: Israel, Alexandropoulos, Santos, Neto, Rochinha, Issahaku, Tanlongo, Gomes, Cabral, Chermiti, Mateus, Essugo
Arsenal team news
18:51 , Matt Verri
Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Vieira, Jorginho, Xhaka; Nelson, Jesus, Martinelli
Subs: Turner, Hillson, Tierney, White, Partey, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Kiwior, Holding, Trossard
Stand by…
18:43 , Matt Verri
Team news coming up very shortly from the Emirates.
Gabriel Jesus has arrived with the Arsenal team, every chance that he makes his first start since the World Cup.
Imagine it will be a strong side named by Mikel Arteta, he’s made it clear he won’t just be prioritising the Premier League.
Stage status: Set
18:34 , Matt Verri
Arteta wants “impacters” off the bench
18:29 , Matt Verri
Mikel Arteta has changed the name of substitutes to “impacters” in the hope it improves players’ mentality when coming off the bench.
The move has come out of Arteta being in a WhatsApp group with former England rugby boss Eddie Jones and coaches from the NFL and NBA. Jones elected to call them “finishers”, even changing the name on the official team sheet.
“It’s something that we wanted to change and I discussed it with a few people and we wanted to find something that is particular for us,” said Arteta.
“It was the best way to express how we feel about them and how they have to feel towards the team, especially on match day.
“I think it is replacing somebody and making the team better, or doing things differently that are related to winning football matches and at the end your mentality should be only that, to impact the game to win it. That’s it, nothing else.
“If you repeat it more and more and more and you discuss it more and more and more, it will be closer to that and just being a sub.”
First-leg highlights
18:20 , Matt Verri
Some very questionable defending, a few bits of shaky goalkeeping, a bizarre own goal and overall a chaotic 90 minutes.
That pretty much sums up last week’s first leg, but if those words haven’t painted a good enough picture for you, here are some highlights.
Visitors have been enjoying themselves in London…
18:13 , Matt Verri
Huge night for the Gunners!
18:06 , Matt Verri
Arsenal have waited three years for a night like this.
The Emirates Stadium will be full for a European knockout game for the first time since the Covid pandemic, as the Gunners take on Sporting for a place in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
With the tie finely poised after last week’s 2-2 draw, it promises to be another test of the squad’s new mentality, which those inside the club have stressed as being key to their success.
The Gunners have coped with the pressure of being top of the Premier League, and must now show they can handle the heat of a European knockout tie.
Read Simon Collings’ full preview here
Standard Sport prediction
18:00 , Matt Verri
Sporting will give Arsenal a game and low-key performances in cup exits against Brighton and Manchester City earlier in the campaign should act as a warning to the Gunners.
They may need to dig deep, but with home support and a squad strengthened by the return of a number of stars, Arsenal should get the job done.
Arsenal to win, 2-1 (4-3 on aggregate).
Sporting team news
17:51 , Matt Verri
Hector Bellerin is set to miss his return to the Emirates with a knee injury for Sporting. Goalkeeper Antonio Adan is another doubt with a muscle complaint.
Marcus Edwards was a key threat in the first leg in Lisbon, and is likely to be the main man for the visitors again.
Arsenal team news
17:42 , Matt Verri
Gabriel Jesus is set to start tonight for the first time since the World Cup
Arsenal will, however be without Eddie Nketiah, who has been out since the start of this month with an ankle injury and he has not recovered yet.
“He’s getting better,” said Mikel Arteta “He’s still in the boot. He’s still a few weeks away and we need to be patient. It was a nasty injury and he has a big challenge ahead of him. Thank God it could have been worse. So he’s not in a bad place.”
There is likely to be some from the Gunners, with goalkeeper Matt Turner due to start. Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Takehiro Tomiyasu could come into the defence.
Jorginho should replace Thomas Partey at the base of midfield. Fabio Vieira is pushing to start after performing well recently.
Predicted Arsenal XI (4-3-3): Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Odegaard, Jorginho, Vieira; Saka, Jesus, Martinelli
How to watch Arsenal vs Sporting
17:35 , Matt Verri
TV channel: In the UK, the game will be televised live on BT Sport 2, with coverage beginning at 7.15pm.
Live stream: Subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the BT Sport app and website.
Live blog: You can follow all the action right here, with expert analysis from Simon Collings at the ground.
Good evening!
17:28 , Matt Verri
Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal vs Sporting in the Europa League!
Right in the balance after a 2-2 draw in the first leg of this last-16 clash, though the Gunners will back themselves to make the most of home advantage tonight and ease into the quarter-finals.
We shall see. We’ll have all the latest updates, build-up and team news ahead of kick-off, which comes at 8pm GMT from the Emirates Stadium. Stay with us!
