Both sides are heading into the match on the back of 3-0 win on their respective league-outings this Sunday, with the hosts defeating Fulham in the Premier League, while Sporting secured a Portuguese Primeira Liga-win over Boavista.
Follow Us
Arsenal will welcome Sporting Lisbon to the Emirates Stadium for the second leg of their UEFA Europa League last-16 tie on Thursday. The first leg in Portugal last week ended in a 2-2 draw. It was an evenly-contested fixture at Estadio Jose Alvalade last Thursday, with the Gunners taking the lead through Wiliiam Saliba mid-way through the first half, before Goncalo Inacio’s 34th-minute header and Paulinho’s tap-in, ten minutes into the second half, turned the tide in Sporting’s favour. But Hidemasa Morita’s own goal in the 62nd-minute meant that both sides are left with all to play for in the second leg in London.
✊ 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛𝘿𝘼𝙔
🆚 Sporting CP
🕗 8pm (UK)
🏟️ Emirates Stadium
🏆 Europa League pic.twitter.com/XJgV2awdWK— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 16, 2023
Arsenal are heading into the match on the back of a dominant 3-0 Premier League-win over Fulham on Sunday. The English top flight leaders secured all three points at Craven Cottage, thanks to first-half efforts from Gabriel Magalhaes, Gebriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard. It was Mikel Arteta’s side’s fifth consecutive league-win, taking their points tally to 66 from 27 top flight games, five clear of second-placed Manchester City. Meanwhile, the Gunners have scored at least two goals in each of their last four outings, and they have kept clean sheets in their last four Europa League home matches, against the likes of Villarreal, PSV Eindhoven, bodo/Glimt and Zurich.
Sporting Lisbon, on the other hand, are also heading into the match on the back of an impressive 3-0 league-win on Sunday. The Green and Whites thrashed Boavista in the Portuguese Primeira Liga this weekend, courtesy of Nuno Santos’ 17th-minute opener, an own goal by Salvador Agra on the stroke of half-time, and Paulinho’s 93rd-minute strike. Lions are sitting at the fourth position in the Portuguese Primeira Liga standings, with 50 points to their name from 24 matches, seven adrift of the top-two. Meanwhile Sporting are unbeaten in their last seven outings in all competitions and are aiming to progress to the last-8 stage of Europe’s second tier tournament for the first time since the 2017-18 campaign.
Gabriel Jesus and Leandro Trossard have returned after recovering from injuries, making substitute appearances against Fulham on Sunday. Jorginho, Thomas Partey and Vieira could form the midfield-trio, with Nelson and Smith Row supporting Trossard up front. Meanwhile, midfielder Mohamed Elneny is sidelined with a knee injury, while attacker Eddie Nketiah is doubtful for Thursday’s game because of an ankle issue. As for Sporting Lisbon, Morita and Sebastian Coates are not available for the decisive game against the Premier League leaders because of suspension, while ex-Arsenal man Hector Bellerin could miss the reunion due to a knee injury.
Arsenal Probable line-up: Turner, Tomiyasu, Saliba, Gabriel, Tierney, Jorginho, Partey, Vieira, Nelson, Trussardi, Smith rove
Sporting Lisbon Probable line-up: Adan, St. Juste, Inacio, Reis, Esgaio, Ugarte, Goncalves, Santos, Edwards, Paulinho, Trincao
Arsenal
| Opponents | Score |
| Fulham | 0-3 (W) |
| Sporting CP | 2-2 (D) |
| Bournemouth | 3-2 (W) |
| Everton | 4-0 (W) |
| Leicester | 0-1 (W) |
Sporting Lisbon
| Opponents | Score |
| Boavista | 3-0 (W) |
| Arsenal | 2-2 (D) |
| Portimonense | 0-1 (W) |
| Estoril | 2-0 (W) |
| Midtjylland | 0-4 (W) |
| Last 3 match-results | Score |
| Sporting Lisbon draw Arsenal | 2-2 |
| Arsenal draw Sporting Lisbon | 0-0 |
| Arsenal beat Sporting Lisbon | 0-1 |
The UEFA Europa League match between Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon will take place at Emirates Stadium on Friday at 1:30 am IST.
| Arsenal vs Sporting Lisbon | Key Details |
| Date | March 16 (UK) |
| Venue | Emirates |
| Kickoff time in UK | 8:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in Portugal | 8:00 pm (Thursday) |
| Kickoff time in India | 1:30 am (Friday) |
The live telecast of the UEFA Europa League matches in India is available on Sony Sports network. Fans will also be able to live stream through Jio TV and Sony LIV. Besides, the match between Arsenal and Sporting Lisbon can also be seen on Sport TV network in Portugal. Meanwhile, those in the UK can catch the live action via BT Sport network.
