The London Evening Standard reported on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, that Arsenal would travel to the José Alvalade Stadium to play Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal match tonight. Despite recent domestic failures, Arsenal hopes to maintain their impressive European record.
With a perfect record of eight victories, the Gunners dominated the league phase and advanced to the knockout stages. In the round of 16, they again easily defeated Bayer Leverkusen. However, after two straight losses in the FA Cup quarterfinal against Southampton FC and the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City, momentum has somewhat decreased.
Sporting, on the other hand, secured their spot in the quarterfinals following an incredible comeback against Bodo/Glimt, winning 5-0 at home to overcome a 3-0 first-leg deficit.
Regarding team news, injuries will keep Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Piero Hincapié, Eberechi Eze, and Mikel Merino out of Arsenal. Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard are also available, and Gabriel Magalhães is anticipated to be fit despite a recent injury.
William Saliba and Gabriel will likely start at centre defence, with David Raya in goal. Riccardo Calafiori should play on the left while Ben White stays at right-back.
Rice and Martin Zubimendi are anticipated to play advanced roles behind Martin Ødegaard in midfield. On the wings, Viktor Gyökeres is expected to spearhead the assault, with Gabriel Jesus and Kai Havertz as backup possibilities.
Noni Madueke and Trossard are expected to start.Anticipated lineup for Arsenal against Sporting Raya: Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; White, Saliba, Gabriel, and Calafiori
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