To advance to the final eight of this season's Europa League, Premier League leaders Arsenal will need to defeat Portuguese team Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates on Thursday night.
When Arsenal plays Sporting Lisbon at the Emirates on Thursday night, their goal is to advance to the quarterfinals of the Europa League.
In Portugal last month, the Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw during the first leg. Goncalo Inacio's powerful header overturned William Saliba's opening goal, and Paulinho's goal gave Sporting a 2-1 lead. An own goal by Hidemasa Morita brought the score even.
Due to their pursuit of the Premier League championship, Mikel Arteta is anticipated to change up his lineup for the second leg. At the top of the standings, Arsenal is five points ahead of Manchester City, with a Sunday afternoon home game against Crystal Palace scheduled.
Aaron Ramsdale will be replaced in the goaltending position by Matt Turner, despite the fact that he did not receive credit for either of Sporting's goals in the previous game. This season, the USA international has appeared in all but one of Arsenal's Europa League games.
Ben White's performances at right-back have limited Takehiro Tomiyasu's playing time in the Premier League, but the Japanese defender has not missed an Arsenal European match this season. He is predicted to start at right-back for Sporting as a result.
The choice of who starts at the centre back will be one of Arteta's most difficult choices. Gabriel Magalhaes and Saliba, his ideal starting lineup, are extremely unlikely to be used because Rob Holding and Jakub Kiwior are both vying for spots in the starting lineup.
After representing Poland at the World Cup in Qatar, Kiwior was acquired from Italian club Spezia in January, although his previous performance against Sporting left something to be desired. Arteta could give him another chance in Europe, though, given his limited possibilities in the Premier League.
Kieran Tierney missed Arsenal's most recent match against Sporting because he has fallen behind Oleksandr Zinchenko in the lineup this year. But, he was back in the lineup for the 3-0 victory over Fulham last Sunday and will likely start the match on Thursday.
Jorginho and Fabio Vieira both started the first leg against Sporting but came off the bench for Fulham's triumph. To rest captain Martin Odegaard and seasoned midfielder Thomas Partey, will both be recalled.
Granit Xhaka and Bukayo Saka, undoubtedly Arsenal's two most crucial players, are expected to remain in the lineup since Arteta's roster is not large enough to make 11 changes for the Europa League.
Gabriel Jesus is currently recuperating from a knee injury, therefore Leandro Trossard might go up front. He gave an excellent performance as a false No. 9 against Fulham. Although it is perhaps too soon for him to start, Jesus will probably play against Sporting.
Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson are competing for starting positions on Arteta's left side. Because of a groyne issue, Smith Rowe has not started a Premier League game this season. He will be aiming to pick up a few more minutes.
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 are set to start for Arsenal against Sporting Lisbon.