Arsenal vs Sporting LIVE! Jesus starts

Arsenal vs Sporting – LIVE!

Arsenal are looking to secure their place in the Europa League quarter-finals as they host Sporting at the Emirates Stadium tonight. After a chaotic first leg in Portugal that ended 2-2, the Round of 16 is set and the Gunners will be looking for more control this time.

Since last week’s game, Mikel Arteta’s side have passed Fulham and remain five points clear at the top of the Premier League, while Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to celebrate his long-awaited return from injury. The Brazilian starts tonight for the first time since the World Cup, while Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are dropped to the bench.

Sporting were the clear winners themselves at the weekend and are fourth in the Primeira Liga. They drew against Tottenham on their last visit to north London in the Champions League earlier this season. Follow all the action on our LIVE blog below, with on-site expert analysis from Simon Collings.

Arsenal vs Sporting latest news

• Kick-off: 20:00 GMT, Emirates Stadium

• As seen: BT Sport 2

• Arsenal team news: Jesus starts for the first time since the World Cup

• Sporting team news: Bellerin misses Emirates return

• Standard Sport Prediction: Arsenal 2-1 Sporting

Arsenal FC – Sporting Clube de Portugal

Arteta’s thoughts before the game…

19:30 , Matt Verri

“It’s a big one [European night]. We haven’t had one in a while with Covid. We expect the team with our people to bring the level required today and win the game.

“You’re in or you’re out. We’ve made some changes, but you need to assemble a team capable of winning and competing at the highest level.

“We approach every competition on a daily basis. The priority tonight is to play at the highest level, individually and collectively.”

Odegaard: Signings can keep Arsenal strong

19:24 , Matt Verri

Martin Odegaard has downplayed concerns a deep run in Europe could hurt Arsenal’s title challenge.

Asked if Arsenal can win the Europa League and maintain their league form, Odegaard said standard sport: “Yes. The last transfer window was really great. The newcomers really brought a lot to the team in terms of different qualities. Also off the field, for example, Jorginho is an experienced guy who has already won a lot.

“They all look great and are great additions to the squad. You saw it the other day [in Lisbon] They are all great players.

“When they joined the team, they felt part of the squad and part of the family from day one. That’s how this club is. That’s the good thing about this team, we’re so connected and make sure everyone adapts quickly. We also did that with the newcomers.”

He added: “We want to win every game, we want to win everything we’re involved in. We will fight to win everything we can.”

Back in action!

19:19 , Matt Verri

Arteta convinced of Kroenke’s ambitions

19:13 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta believes Arsenal’s ambitious owners will continue to support him to provide the club with a sustained period of success.

On Monday, the Spaniard was named manager of the year as Arsenal became the first club to secure a clean win among the top four gongs at the London Football Awards, reflecting their leadership 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 have faced intense pressure from supporters following the doomed European Super League conspiracy less than two years ago.

Speak with standard sportArteta believes the Kroenkes’ patience has paid off and says they have “great ambitions” for the club’s future.

“It has taken some time to position themselves where they wanted in terms of how much of the club they own and how much they can decide and how much they can really use the club in the way they see fit ‘ Arteta said. “I think they were really patient in just the right way. Now they have shown their full commitment, they have big ambitions and they fully support the club to give everything to make it successful.

“I am convinced that the owners will continue to do everything they can to make us very successful and continue to invest properly in the club.”

Read the full interview here

Simon Collings in 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 the crucial final two months of the season.

Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are resting as they fall to the bench while Reiss Nelson starts from the outside and Fabio Vieira comes into midfield. Jorginho replaces Thomas Partey.

Mikel Arteta has opted against staying in goal in Europe with Matt Turner, with Aaron Ramsdale starting.

Sport team news

18:54 , Matt Verri

Sports XI: Adan, Inacio, Diomande, St. Juste, Reis, Ugarte, Goncalves, Esgaio, Trincao, Paulinho, Edwards

Subtitle: 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

Subtitle: Turner, Hillson, Tierney, White, Partey, Saka, Odegaard, Smith Rowe, Kiwior, Holding, Trossard

Stand by…

18:43 , Matt Verri

Team news from the Emirates coming soon.

Gabriel Jesus has arrived with the Arsenal team, every chance he makes his first start since the World Cup.

Imagine it will be a strong team named by Mikel Arteta. He has made it clear that he will not only prioritize the Premier League.

Phase Status: Set

18:34 , Matt Verri

Arteta wants “Impacter” from the bank

18:29 , Matt Verri

Mikel Arteta has changed the name of the substitutes to ‘Impacters’ in hopes it will improve the players’ mentality when they come off the bench.

The move comes as Arteta was in a WhatsApp group with former England rugby boss Eddie Jones and coaches from the NFL and NBA. Jones dubbed them “Finishers” and even changed the name on the official team sheet.

“It’s something we wanted to change and I discussed it with a couple of people and we wanted to find something special for us,” Arteta said.

“It was the best way to express how we feel about them and how they must feel about the team, especially on matchday.

“I think it means replacing someone and making the team better or doing things differently that are related to winning football games and in the end your mentality should just be to influence the game to win it. That’s it, nothing else.

“As you keep repeating it and discussing it more and more, it’s going to get closer to that and just be a sub.”

Highlights of the first leg

18:20 , Matt Verri

Partly very questionable defence, a little shaky goalkeeping, a bizarre own goal and a total of chaotic 90 minutes.

That pretty much sums up last week’s first leg, but if those words didn’t give you a good enough picture, here are some highlights.

Visitors enjoyed themselves in London…

18:13 , Matt Verri

Big 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 when the Gunners take on Sporting for a Europa League quarter-finals berth.

Well balanced after last week’s 2-2 draw, the tie promises to be another test of the squad’s new mentality, which has been highlighted by members of the club as key to their success.

The Gunners have mastered the pressure of being top of the Premier League and must now show they can handle the heat of a European knockout game.

Read Simon Collings’ full preview here

Standard sports prediction

18:00 , Matt Verri

Sporting are set to give Arsenal a game and muted performances in the Cup eliminaries against Brighton and Manchester City earlier in the season should serve as a warning to the Gunners.

They may have to dig deep, but with home support and a squad bolstered by the return of a number of stars, Arsenal should get the job done.

Arsenal win 2-1 (4-3 on aggregate).

Sport team news

17:51 , Matt Verri

Hector Bellerin will miss his Emirates return with a knee injury for Sporting. Goalkeeper Antonio Adan is another doubt with a muscle complaint.

Marcus Edwards was a major threat in the first leg in Lisbon and should once again be the visitors’ main man.

Arsenal team news

17:42 , Matt Verri

Gabriel Jesus will start tonight for the first time since the World Championships

However, Arsenal are without Eddie Nketiah, who has been out since earlier this month with an ankle injury and has yet to recover.

“He’s getting better,” said Mikel Arteta. “He’s still in the boat. It’s still a few weeks away and we’ll just have to be patient. It was a bad injury and he has a big challenge ahead of him. Thank goodness it could have been worse. So he’s not in a bad place.”

There will likely be some from the Gunners, with goalie Matt Turner set to be the starter. Kieran Tierney, Rob Holding and Takehiro Tomiyasu could come into defence.

Jorginho was set to replace Thomas Partey at the base of midfield. Fabio Vieira is pushing for the start after good performances recently.

Expected Arsenal XI (4-3-3): lathe; 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 streamed live on BT Sport 2 from 7.15pm.

Live broadcast: Subscribers can also watch the competition live online via the BT Sport app and website.

Live blog: You can follow all the action right here, with on-site expert analysis from Simon Collings.

Good evening!

17:28 , Matt Verri

Hello and welcome to Standard Sport’s LIVE coverage of Arsenal vs Sporting in the Europa League!

The Gunners are still set after a 2-2 draw in the first leg of this round of 16 tie, but the Gunners will take full advantage of home advantage tonight and advance to the quarters.

We will see. We’ll have the latest updates, build-up and squad news ahead of kick-off, which takes place at 20:00 GMT at Emirates Stadium. Stay with us!