Arsenal vs. Sporting CP: Europa League – Predicted Lineup, Bench & Score
Yes, Arsenal are still in the Europa League, but you’ll be forgiven for forgetting about this competition. The last time the Gunners played a match in this competition was November 3. Since then we’ve had a World Cup, a transfer window and an increasingly tense/comfortable Premier League title challenge. But it’s back. And thanks to Arsenal leading their group, they avoided the last round of 16 and will face Sporting CP in the round of 16.
Sporting CP is one of the three “big” clubs in Portugal. They have won the domestic league, cup and league cup on multiple occasions and are currently fourth in the Primeira Liga, 15 points behind Benfica. However, they have won six of their last seven league games, dropping points only in a 1-0 loss to Porto. They were eliminated in the Europa League after finishing third in their Champions League group behind Eintracht Frankfurt and Tottenham. To reach this round, they defeated Midtjylland 5-1 on aggregate, including a 4-0 away win.
So how seriously will Mikel Arteta take the first leg on the road? And how much focus has shifted to the Premier League since Arsenal were last active in the competition?
Expected XI
Bank
- Eddie Nketiah
- Gabriel Martinelli
- Martin Odegaard
- Bukayo Saka
- Thomas Partey
- MattSmith
- Wilhelm Saliba
- Jacob Kiwior
- Ben White
- Oleksandr Zinchenko
- Aaron Ramsdale
- Karl Hein
- exuberant: Gabriel Jesus (injury), Leandro Trossard (injury) & Mohamed Elneny (injury)
- While we don’t have an official update on Trossard, he won’t be traveling to Portugal this week. In fact, reports suggest the aim could be for him to return after the March international break in time for the April 1 game against Leeds United. A great time for Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson to get fit again.
- At the start of the season, the Europa League would have been a 1B priority to reach the top 4 (1A). But now given Arsenal’s place, being down to fifth and where we are in the season, there must have been a shift in prioritizing the Premier League title at the expense of some concentration on the Europa League. However, as these are tough opponents and Arsenal are open on the road, I could see a 50/50 split of starters and backups.
- Thursday is the perfect time for an Eddie Nketiah rebound. He was not in the squad against Bournemouth and was a late substitute in the last two games. He scored his last goals in a 3-2 win over Manchester United. With another forward option sidelined through injury, it’s Eddie’s turn again.
- While I wouldn’t be surprised if Arteta fielded some of the marquee players, I would save them for the weekend’s Premier League game and the home game of the tie. Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Aaron Ramsdale and William Saliba. I’d rather see them healthy and rested against Fulham than on Thursday.
- With Rob Holding potentially joining, Gabriel is the likely partner as I don’t think this competition has strayed from Arteta’s focus enough to start Jakub Kiwior. Not on the street and not at Sporting CP.
like watching
Thursday (3/9) at 12:45 p.m. ET / 9:45 a.m. PT on Paramount+.
forecast
Armory – 1
Sporty CP – 1st
I expect a difficult game for the Gunners traveling to Portugal. If Arteta can rotate the squad and return to London for the second leg without a deficit, I think he will take it. With enough good players to rotate for the start, Arsenal should be able to create enough chances to perhaps go home with a lead.
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