Overview
Arsenal will host Sporting CP with a significant advantage after the first leg victory, although they have had many difficulties in penetrating the solid defense of the Portuguese team.
In the first leg, Sporting once made the "Gunners" deadlocked. However, two players who came on as substitutes, Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz, shone at the right time, coordinated to bring the decisive goal, helping Arsenal take a big advantage before the second leg.
If they avoid defeat, Arsenal will reach the UEFA Champions League semi-finals for the first time in history for two consecutive seasons. Statistics also support them when they won 17/18 of the most recent knockout matches after winning in the first leg away from home.
In addition, the London team is maintaining an 8-match unbeaten streak at home against Portuguese representatives in European cups (6 wins, 2 draws). However, the Emirates fortress has just been shaken when they lost 1-2 to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
This defeat helps Manchester City narrow the gap to 6 points, making the championship race tense. The decline in form with 3 defeats in the last 4 matches also raises doubts about the bravery of Mikel Arteta's team.
However, winning a ticket to the Champions League semi-finals could bring a huge morale boost before the early final at the Etihad at the weekend.
In the opposite direction, Sporting entered the match with certain confidence. Rui Borges' team just had a 1-0 victory over Estrela Amadora thanks to Daniel Braganca's goal, thereby maintaining a 3-game winning streak in Primeira Liga and continuing to chase Porto in the standings.
However, history does not favor Sporting. They have never successfully come back in European cups after losing the first leg at home with a one-goal difference, and have failed in 13/14 similar cases.
However, against an Arsenal that is showing signs of disarray, Sporting still has a basis to nurture hope. Especially when they once eliminated the "Gunners" in the round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League in the 2022-2023 season after a penalty shootout - a match that many Arsenal fans still cannot forget.
Personnel situation
Arsenal entered the second leg with no small concerns about the force, although Piero Hincapie and Eberechi Eze recovered earlier than expected. However, the personnel situation of the London team is still significantly affected by the absence or lack of fitness of Martin Odegaard, Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber and Declan Rice.
At the present time, Mikel Merino is the only name that is definitely absent due to a leg injury. Meanwhile, Martin Zubimendi showed signs of overload in the defeat against Bournemouth, so the possibility of Christian Norgaard being given a chance in the defensive midfielder position is entirely possible.
In attack, Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli have not maintained high form after the first leg. In that context, the return of Leandro Trossard and Eze brings more options for the starting lineup.
On the other side, Sporting welcomes good news when key midfielder Morten Hjulmand returns after suspension and is ready to be in the main squad.
However, Rui Borges' team still lacks some important backup options such as Fotis Ioannidis ( ligament injury), Luis Guilherme ( ankle injury) and right-back Ivan Fresneda due to fitness issues.
Expected lineup:
Arsenal: Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie, Norgaard, Rice, Madueke, Eze, Trossard, Gyokeres.
Sporting Lisbon: Silva, Vagiannidis, Diomande, Inacio, Araujo, Braganca, Hjulmand, Catamo, Trincao, Goncalves, Suarez.
The match between Arsenal and Sporting took place at 2:00 a.m. on April 16 (Vietnam time).
