Arsenal predicted line-up vs Sporting as Mikel Arteta makes Gabriel Jesus call
Arsenal will aim to make the quarter-finals of the Europa League when they take on Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates on Thursday night.
The Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw during the first leg in Portugal last month. William Saliba's early goal was cancelled out by Goncalo Inacio's towering header before Paulinho's strike made it 2-1 to Sporting. Hidemasa Morita's own goal levelled the tie.
Mikel Arteta is expected to rotate his squad for the second leg due to their Premier League title charge. Arsenal are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table, with a home game against Crystal Palace pencilled in for Sunday afternoon.
Matt Turner is set to replace Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks, despite failing to cover himself in the glory for both of Sporting's goals last time out. The USA international has featured in all but one of Arsenal's Europa League fixtures this season.
Takehiro Tomiyasu has struggled for minutes in the Premier League due to Ben White's performances at right-back, but the Japanese defender is yet to miss a European game for Arsenal this term. As such, he is tipped to start against Sporting at right-back.
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One of Arteta's toughest decisions will be deciding who plays at centre-back. He is highly unlikely to call on his preferred pairing of Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba, with Rob Holding and Jakub Kiwior both hoping to be included in the starting XI.
Matt Turner is expected to replace Aaron Ramsdale between the sticks (Getty Images)What do you think Arsenal's starting XI against Sporting Lisbon will be? Let us know in the comments below!
Kiwior, who was signed from Italian side Spezia in January after representing Poland at the World Cup in Qatar, failed to impress against Sporting last time. Yet with limited opportunities in the Premier League, Arteta may give him another shot in Europe.
Kieran Tierney has fallen behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in Arsenal's pecking order this season and missed their last game against Sporting. Yet he returned to the squad for the 3-0 win at Fulham last Sunday and should start Thursday night's game.
Fabio Vieira and Jorginho both started the first leg against Sporting but returned to the bench for the victory against Fulham. They are both set to be given a recall to rest captain Martin Odegaard and experienced midfielder Thomas Partey.
Arteta's squad is not big enough to make 11 changes for the Europa League, so Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka - arguably Arsenal's two most important players - are tipped to continue.
Leandro Trossard produced a superb performance as a false No.9 against Fulham and could continue up front, as Gabriel Jesus is still recovering from a knee injury. Jesus is likely to feature against Sporting, although it is probably too soon for him to start.
Arteta has a selection dilemma on the left flank, with Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson both pushing for starts. Smith Rowe has not started a Premier League fixture this term due a groin injury and will be hoping to get a few more minutes in the tank.
Arsenal likely starting XI vs Sporting Lisbon: Matt Turner; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Rob Holding, Jakub Kiwior, Kieran Tierney; Jorginho, Granit Xhaka, Fabio Vieira; Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Emile Smith Rowe.
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