The Football Faithful
·26. November 2024
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Yahoo sportsThe Football Faithful
·26. November 2024
Arsenal return to Champions League action with confidence this week after getting back to winning ways at the weekend.
Mikel Arteta’s team eased past Nottingham Forest in an emphatic performance at the Emirates, with Bukayo Saka, Thomas Partey and Ethan Nwaneri all on target.
In Europe, the North Londoners sit 12th in the Champions League standings and there is work to be done to secure an automatic place in the Round of 16.
Arsenal travel to face a Sporting Lisbon side under new management, with Joao Pereira taking the reins from Ruben Amorim following the latter’s exit for Manchester United.
The Portuguese side have won all 11 games in the Primeira Liga this season and are unbeaten in the Champions League – a run that includes a 4-1 win over Manchester City last time out.
Declan Rice is expected to return to the side after remaining an unused substitute at the weekend. The midfielder was afforded additional rest having missed England’s games during November’s international break with a knock.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Martinelli could also return after rests against Nottingham Forest, while a decision will be made on whether Mikel Merino or Thomas Partey joins Rice and Martin Odegaard in midfield.
Riccardo Calafiori’s return to the team at the weekend boosted a depleted defence. Ben White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) all remain sidelined, though the latter is back in training.
Arsenal predicted XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Partey, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz.
Sporting host Arsenal in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday November 26th. Kick-off in Lisbon is 8pm GMT.
The game will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1.