PREVIEW: Arsenal host Sporting CP in Champions League high stakes showdown

PREVIEW: Arsenal host Sporting CP in Champions League high stakes showdown

Arsenal host Sporting CP in the second leg of the quarter-final tie at the Emirates Stadium, aiming for a spot in the Champions League semi-final after a crucial away win last week.

The Gunners look to go far in the European competition, and they were one step closer in the first leg where late substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz connected in the last minute.

The German striker scored late from a lofted pass from the 24-year-old Brazilian winger to win 1-0 at the Estádio José Alvalade.

Mikel Arteta’s side will have to block out the disappointment in their Premier League campaign, as they were stunned by Bournemouth over the weekend, who beat them 2-1, increasing the pressure as Manchester City closes in on their top spot.

It feels mandatory for the Arsenal boss to end the season with silverware, so the stakes for their Champions League fixture are very high, as the players will want to avoid a consecutive upset at home.

Between the sticks, David Raya received the player of the match award after crucial saves kept his side in the game in the first leg.

With Arsenal’s No. 1 having a stellar season and touted as one of the best goalkeepers in Europe this season, he’ll look to repeat his heroics against the Primeira Liga side, who must score at least one goal to have a chance of advancing.

There were no signs of Declan Rice, Riccardo Calafiori, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber or Martin Ødegaard at Arsenal’s open training session on Tuesday, so their availability looks unclear ahead of the game and would be a huge blow if they were all out.

Sporting CP made a very good account of themselves in the first leg despite the loss, creating numerous opportunities against an Arsenal side highly rated for their defensive play.

Rui Borges’ team travels to North London on the back of an away league win against Estrela Amadora and are currently sitting second in the league, five points behind Porto.

Miraculous results aren’t uncommon for Sporting CP after they made it to the quarter-final by scoring five goals without reply against Bodø/Glimt, who were leading 3-0 on aggregate after the first leg.

However, they will need to be at their best, having not won away against an English team since March 2005.

Sporting captain Morten Hjulmand will return to the team after being suspended in the first leg for yellow card accumulation, while injuries remain for Fotis Ioannidis, Luis Guilherme and Nuno Santos.

The match will take place at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, April 15th, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm (UK Time) on TNT Sports.