Arsenal FC Lineup vs Sporting CP: Confirmed XI, Injuries & Big Selection Calls

The second quarterfinal of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season will see Arsenal travel to the Estádio José Alvalade to take on Sporting CP. This is the 6th time that the two teams will be facing each other, with the Gunners having the upper hand in most of those fixtures.

Sporting CP completed an outstanding 5-0 comeback against Bodo/Glimt in the Round of 16 second leg at home, after getting thrashed 3-0 in the first leg. The match will act as a massive confidence booster for Rui Borges' side, as they face one of the best clubs in the world currently, Arsenal.

They are now unbeaten in their last three games across all competitions, with a 4-2 win against Santa Clara in the domestic league. Arsenal, on the other hand, have been handed two very disheartening losses against Manchester City and Southampton, respectively, which ended hopes of a quadruple altogether.

However, quality hasn't been lacking in this Mikel Arteta-led side, as they look to come back stronger, and are the only team in this season's UCL who are yet to lose a game. The win against Bayer Leverkusen is a thing of the past now, as the Gunners look to take a healthy lead in the first leg to calm their nerves back home in the second leg.

Before the crunch UEFA Champions League match commences, take a look at the Sporting CP vs Arsenal F.C. Lineups where we analyse how the two teams have gone with their tactics and formations.

Arsenal FC Lineup vs Sporting CP

Let's dissect the Arsenal FC lineup now. Mikel Arteta's side has been going through a horrid injury crisis, which has seen them missing out on several key players for this fixture.

One of the best right-backs in the world, Jurrien Timber, is out with a knock, while Bukayo Saka also misses this game with physical discomfort. Mikel Merino misses out on the midfield due to injury, and so does Eberechi Eze.

Piero Hincapie was the latest to withdraw from the squad, but the return of one of the best centre-backs in the world, William Saliba, has come as a breather for the Gunners.

Declan Rice, who was seen limping after the match against Manchester City in the EFL Carabao Cup, has made it to the Arsenal FC Lineup in this game, and partners Martin Zubimendi and skipper Martin Odegaard, who's also returning after nursing an injury.

Ben White features in Timber's place, which might be Arsenal's weakest link of the game. Riccardo Calafiori starts ahead of Miles Lewis-Skelly, who started in the 2-1 loss to Southampton.

The likes of Pote and Catamo will look to exploit the wings, so additional tasks will surely fall on the shoulders of Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli to double up on them, along with the respective full-backs.

Leandro Trossard is back, too. Arsenal relies heavily on their midfield, as each of Rice, Zubimendi, and Odegaard are concerned with progressing the game forward. Odegaard will look to find those half spaces where he can make things happen with his quick feet, while Declan Rice will be tasked to open up the Sporting CP defence with line-breaking passes.

Viktor Gyokeres up front has to take his chances against his former club, as a dink over the slightly stunted centre-backs is very likely. All being said, set-pieces are still Arsenal's biggest strength, with big players like Gabriel and Saliba attacking the box. The Gunners can earn an important win in Portugal if they can use their physical ability to the fullest.

Arsenal Starting XI vs Sporting CP

Have a look at the Arsenal F.C. Lineup from the Sporting CP vs Arsenal F.C. Lineups.

Raya, White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice, Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard.

Sporting CP Lineup vs Arsenal FC

Rui Borges has fielded almost the same lineup that started against Bodo/Glimt in the Round of 16 second leg. However, their captain, Morten Hjulmand, isn't available for this game due to the accumulation of too many yellow cards, which could be a thing of concern.

A double pivot of Joao Simoes and Hidesama Morita has been deployed to seize control of the game in the midfield. Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincao, and Pote are playing behind the lone forward, Luis Suarez.

Borges might have taken a leaf out of Pep Guardiola's book and asked his players not to press the Arsenal backline, but instead start the press from the midfield itself. Debast and Morita have been tasked to disrupt the flow of play that will take place through the likes of Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi.

The Sporting CP backline are well aware of the threat posed by the likes of Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, and will look to keep them away from the danger areas deep into the sideline to minimise their effect.

Set-pieces are an important part of Arsenal's success this season, and we are sure that Sporting have done their homework well. Close man-to-man marking and getting to the second ball first will be their top-most priority.

Sporting CP Starting XI vs Arsenal FC

Here is the confirmed Sporting CP lineup from the Sporting CP vs Arsenal F.C. Lineups.

Silva; Fresneda, Diomande, Inacio, Araujo; Simoes, Morita; Catamo, Trincao, Pote; Suarez.