Arsenal vs. Sporting CP: Europa League – Predicted Lineup, Bench & Score (2nd Leg)
Back to the Emirates with the quarterfinals within reach.
While some fans would be happy to leave the Europa League to focus on the Premier League title race, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal are not going to give a percentage. Back at home against a tough opponent and a chance to reach the quarter-finals is exactly the kind of challenge Arteta would like ahead of the Crystal Palace match and the international break. Two trophies is still a possibility but first, how aggressive will Arteta be when it comes to rotating or starting key Premier League starters?
Sporting CP will be without a number of key players when they visit the Emirates. Captain and centre-back Sebastian Coates and defensive midfielder Hidemasa Morita both received yellow cards in the first leg and are out on Thursday. In addition, former marksman Hector Bellerin is unlikely to be available again for Sporting due to a knee injury. However, their midfield could get a boost if Manuel Ugarte is deemed fit to play.
Expected XI
Bank
- Gabriel Jesus
- Tear Nelson
- Gabriel Martinelli
- Martin Odegaard
- Thomas Partey
- MattSmith
- Wilhelm Saliba
- Jacob Kiwior
- Ben White
- Oleksandr Zinchenko
- Aaron Ramsdale
- Karl Hein
exuberant: Eddie Nketiah (injury) & Mohamed Elneny (injury)
- Two games left before the international break. By the time Arsenal return to Leeds, Eddie Nketiah should be back in the squad and Gabriel Jesus could be ready to start.
- There are easily 19-20 players in the running for Thursday’s start. How aggressive will Arteta be from the off when it comes to using some of the Premier League’s starters only when needed in the second half? Will he choose Trossard at the helm again? Is Jesus really an option to start a game? And if so, is this match worth it given the Premier League title race and the other options available to Arteta?
- Tierney, Tomiyasu, Smith Rowe, Jorginho and Turner could all use the minutes now, while keeping Partey, Odegaard, Zinchenko and Ramsdale safe on the bench would be ideal.
like watching
Thursday (3/16) at 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT on Paramount+.
forecast
Armory – 3
Sporty CP – 1st
Arsenal advance 5-3 on aggregate.
This should be one of Thursday’s more entertaining and most watched returns. Whilst I expect another strong fight from Sporting, this time playing in the Emirates and having a nearly full squad to choose from, the Gunners are having a more comfortable time progressing to the Quarters.
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