Jesus, Smith Rowe to start; Nketiah misses out
Arsenal will shuffle the pack for Sporting CP’s visit to the Emirates, with Gabriel Jesus making his first start since the World Cup.
Arsenal will try to defeat Sporting CP in the round of 16 second leg. The Emirates will host as Mikel Arteta will look to field a solid team to clinch a win and reach the Quarters. The Gunners boss will have a nearly full squad since the recent return of key stars.
The big story of the Fulham win was the return of Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian was the subject of media interest during Arteta’s press conference. The manager also gave an update on Eddie Nketiah’s fitness.
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Arteta said of Jesus: “It was great to see him again. You can feel the joy of everyone around him: fans, players and staff. We missed him and now we’re glad he’s back.”
“We have to manage his minutes and we have to manage his squad and team engagement. But Gabby feels good every day that he works out. He says those senses are getting better and better, so that’s really positive.”
Eddie Nketiah has been out since defeating Everton and will be sidelined until after the international break. Arteta continued: “He’s doing better. It’s still in the trunk, so a few weeks away. We have to be patient – it was a bad injury. It’s a challenge Eddie has ahead of him, but thank goodness he could have been worse, so he’s not in a bad place.
Arteta could make sweeping changes to the grid, even more than the six he made for the Lisbon stage. Matt Turner will be in goal while Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney could replace Ben White and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
Gabriel Magalhaes could keep his place in central defence, while Rob Holding could work with the Brazilian. Jorginho could replace Thomas Partey at the base of midfield while Granit Xhaka keeps his place in the team. Fabio Vieira will complete midfield three.
Arteta could take his chances and allow Emile Smith Rowe and Jesus to make their first starts since returning from injuries. The latter will play on the left, with the Brazilian leading the line and Reiss Nelson completing the front three. Alternatively, the manager could consider using one of Bukayo Saka or Gabriel Martinelli on either flank.
Estimated Arsenal XI: lathe; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Tierney; Vieira, Jorginho, Xhaka; Nelson, Jesus, Smith Rowe