Arsenal vs Sporting: Gunners put Premier League title charge aside
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GUNNER GO FOT ITARSENAL face a tough test against Sporting in the return leg of their Europa League last-16 tie - and Gabriel Jesus STARTS.
The Brazilian international returned from a lengthy knee injury in the Fulham romp last weekend.
And now for the first time since November, Jesus has been included in Mikel Arteta's starting 11
Live stream: BT Sport website or app TV channel: BT Sport 2 Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko; Vieira, Jorginho, Xhaka; Nelson, Jesus, Martinelli Sporting XI: Adan; St.Juste, Diomande, Inacio; Esgaio, Goncalves, Ugarte, Reis; Edwards, Trincao; PaulinhoCHELTENHAM FESTIVAL FREE BETS AND BEST SIGN UP DEALS 2023
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Nyle Smith7 minutes ago
Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim has admitted that his side are in for a difficult night at the Emirates.
The Portuguese side fought to earn a credible 2-2 draw against Arsenal last week but the manager admits it could be a different ball game away from home.
Speaking after last week's game, Amorim said:
It was a perfect game because the team remained focused. The team's main priority and responsibility is to win our league games, but it's better to prepare for Arsenal after a victory and it was an excellent way to start preparing for that game.
We cannot be under any illusions. Arsenal will have a different gear at home and we will have to be smart, but we will be prepared and very confident.
Ruben AmorimBT Sport 1
Kiro Evans23 minutes ago
And this is the Sporting Lisbon team with ex-Tottenham youth player Marcus Edwards looking to cause chaos as he returns to North London for the second time this season.
Nyle Smith24 minutes ago
It's Mikel Arteta's 12th home game in charge of Arsenal in Europe - and the boss has a mixed record so far.
Arsenal have lost two of the 11 so far - both in the knockouts and both against Olympiacos, but the 2021 defeat still saw the Gunners pull through on aggregate.
Otherwise Arteta has enjoyed some fairly comfortable wins in front of the home crowd on a Thursday night, and they have not conceded in any of their last four.
February 2020 - Arsenal 1-2 Olympiacos (L)
October 29 2020 - Arsenal 3-0 Dundalk (W)
November 5 2020 - Arsenal 4-1 Molde (W)
December 10 2020 - Arsenal 4-1 Rapid Wien (W)
February 25 2021 - Arsenal 3-2 Benfica (W)
March 18 2021 - Arsenal 0-1 Olympiacos (L)
April 8 2021 - Arsenal 1-1 Slavia Prague (D)
May 6 2021 - Arsenal 0-0 Villarreal (D)
October 6 2023 - Arsenal 3-0 Bodo/Glimt (W)
October 20 2023 - Arsenal 1-0 PSV (W)
November 3 2023 - Arsenal 1-0 Zurich (W)
Kiro Evans42 minutes ago
Gabriel Jesus' return is the biggest story of the Arsenal line-up but fans will also be excited to see the likes of Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson in the starting XI.
Nyle Smith48 minutes ago
Gabriel Jesus made his long-awaited return to the pitch in Arsenal's 3-0 hammering against Fulham on the weekend and fans will be itching to see the Brazilian international involved once again tonight.
And now, the Brazilian starts his first game in an Arsenal shirt since November.
