Sporting CP vs Arsenal live score, updates, highlights from Europa League round of 16 first leg

Arsenal visit 19-time Portuguese champions Sporting CP in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League round of 16 on Thursday.

The Gunners reached this stage by winning their group and are playing in Europe for the first time since November 3.

Mikel Arteta’s side lead the Premier League table, restoring their five-point lead over Manchester City with a thrilling comeback against relegation-threatened Bournemouth on Saturday.

Sporting finished third in their Champions League group, earning a Europa League knockout tie they won against Norwegian side Midtjylland. The Lions are fourth in the Primeira Liga and 15 points behind leaders Benfica, but their form has improved recently, with two of their three defeats in their last 12 games being inflicted by fellow Portuguese giants Porto.

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MORE: Prediction, picks, and betting odds for Arsenal visit to Sporting in Europa League

The Sporting News will be following the match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.

Sporting CP vs Arsenal live score

Goals:
None

Confirmed lineups:

Sporting CP (4-3-3, right to left): 30. Turner (GK) — 4. White, 12. Saliba, 15. Kiwior, 35. Zinchenko — 20. Jorginho, 21. Vieira, 34. Xhaka — 7. Saka, 11. Martinelli, 24. Nelson.

Arsenal (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Adan (GK) — 3. St. Juste, 4. Coates, 25. Inacio — 47. Esgaio, 28. Goncalves, 5. 2. Morita, 5. Matheus — 17. Trincao, 20. Paulinho, 10. Edwards.

Sporting CP vs Arsenal live updates, highlights, commentary

44 mins to kick: Arsenal have yet to concede a goal in four all-time meetings against Sporting. That could be tested today with Sporting’s attack-heavy lineup and the debut for Jakub Kiwior at the back. Along with Kiwior, there are a host of unheralded names in the Arsenal squad, mostly on the bench. Amongst the substitutes are Charles Sagoe Jr, Matthew Smith, Mauro Bendeira, James Hilton, and Reuell Walters.

A few of the younger members of the Arsenal squad take a stroll on the pitch. If my eyesight isn’t failing me it’s great to note Reuell Walters is out there. Seen a lot of this lad this season and he’s an outstanding prospect with a series of excellent performances under his belt pic.twitter.com/mTeBBVKOmA

— Layth (@laythy29) March 9, 2023

62 mins to kick: The Sporting lineup is a very attacking selection from head coach Ruben Amorim, who drops in-form attacker Pedro Goncalves into midfield to fit Trincao in alongside Paulinho and London-born Marcus Edwards. Former Gunner full-back Hector Bellerin, on loan from Barcelona, doesn’t even make the matchday squad.

🔜 @EuropaLeague #SCPARS #UEL pic.twitter.com/8RWNq07IPm

— Sporting CP English (@SportingCP_en) March 9, 2023

75 mins to kick: Team news is out a bit early for the match. Gabriel Jesus is not in the Arsenal squad, which is notable as there was speculation that he would travel with the squad and could maybe even play a role in today’s match, but it always felt like it was just a bit too early for Jesus, as he only just returned to full training yesterday. Ultimately, he doesn’t even travel.

Mikel Arteta has rested two key players in Martin Odegaard and Gabriel, with Fabio Vieira getting the start in midfield ahead of the two-man pivot, and 23-year-old Poland international Jakub Kiwior getting the nod in defence for his Arsenal debut. It’s Reiss Nelson who gets the start out wide over Emile Smith Rowe.

Jakub Kiwior is tonight making his first appearance for #AFC since his move from Spezia for an initial £17.5m. Kiwior’s last competitive match was against Atalanta on January 19th.

— Sam Dean (@SamJDean) March 9, 2023

90 mins to kick: Arsenal will have their work cut out for them defensively today, partially given that Sporting don’t have a lone goal scoring threat, with the load spread out amongst multiple attackers. It was Pedro Goncalves’ turn to shine last time Sporting took the field in the Europa League, when they demolished Norwegian side Midtjylland on the road.

The winger scored two goals and created four chances in a starring role. Who will it be today for Sporting that Arsenal will need to keep an eye on? Striker Paulinho has just one goal in his last seven matches, while 23-year-old winger Trincao, on loan from Barcelona, can be a threat.

🔝 Pedro Gonçalves no jogo mais recente do @Sporting_CP na Europa League 🤌🍿😎#UEL pic.twitter.com/rTloLASGEA

— UEFA.com em português (@UEFAcom_pt) March 9, 2023

105 mins to kick: Yesterday was International Women’s Day, so it’s only fitting that we take a moment to appreciate Jorginho’s mom still getting teary eyed when she sees her son’s kit hanging in the dressing room. IS SOMEONE CUTTING ONIONS IN HERE? 🥺

Jorginho has a chance to start today with Thomas Partey back from injury but possibly rested with the heavy fixture schedule on the horizon.

Jorginho’s mum shed a tear after spotting her son’s shirt on show in Arsenal’s dressing room ❤️🥺pic.twitter.com/t3jzvCATQJ

— Sky Sports (@SkySports) March 9, 2023

120 mins to kickoff: Arsenal are struggling through a bit of an injury issue at the striker position, and while it’s not expected to linger for long, it’s causing selection problems for Mikel Arteta in this European match.

Gabriel Jesus has returned to training following his long-term knee injury but isn’t ready to return to match action just yet. Meanwhile, Eddie Nketiah is out with an ankle injury and did not train on Wednesday, and Leandro Trossard came off after 22 minutes against Bournemouth on the weekend with a groin issue.

None of those players are expected to be sidelined for much longer but Gabriel Martinelli will likely play in attack here, while Emile Smith Rowe’s return is timely, stepping into the vacated wing position.

Absentees from Arsenal training 🏃‍♂️:

❌ Nketiah
❌ Trossard
❌ Tierney pic.twitter.com/pBpexgwXU7

— Football Daily (@footballdaily) March 8, 2023

Sporting CP vs Arsenal lineups & team news

Sporting midfielder Manuel Ugarte triggered a yellow card suspension with his caution last time out against Midtjylland and will miss this match. The only true injury concern for head coach Ruben Amara is the ACL tear of 23-year-old Daniel Braganca who has missed the entire season to date.

Former Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin is at Sporting on loan from Barcelona, but has yet to lock down a true starting role, sitting as an unused substitute against Portimonense in league play over the weekend and failing to make today’s squad altogether.

Sporting CP confirmed starting lineup (3-4-3): Adan (GK) — St. Juste, Coates, Inacio — Esgaio, Goncalves, Morita, Matheus — Trincao, Paulinho, Edwards.

Sporting CP subs (11): Neto (GK), Diomande, Nuno, M. Fernandes, Tanlongo, Essugo, Issahaku, Chermiti, Rochinha, Cabral, Arthur.

Here’s our 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙓𝙄 #SportingCP #SCPARS pic.twitter.com/iLZrIu0dWS

— Sporting CP English (@SportingCP_en) March 9, 2023

There’s an injury crisis brewing at striker for Arsenal, as Eddie Nketiah (ankle) and Leandro Trossard (groin) have both picked up minor injuries that will keep them sidelined for this match. While Gabriel Jesus has returned to Arsenal training, this match comes too soon for him to play a part, meaning Gabriel Martinelli is forced to deputise. Gabriel is rested in favour of Jakub Kiwior who makes his Arsenal debut at the back.

Matt Turner continues as the Cup goalkeeper for Arsenal, while the great performances from Jorginho in place of Thomas Partey weeks ago see him get a chance to spell the Ghanan in midfield. Kieran Tierney was left home in London due to an illness, and Martin Odegaard is also sick and does not appear but made the trip with the team.

Arsenal confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): Turner (GK) — White, Saliba, Kiwior, Zinchenko — Jorginho, Vieira, Xhaka — Saka, Martinelli, Nelson.

Arsenal subs (11): Ramsdale (GK), Hillson, Tomiyasu, Walters, Holding, Gabriel, Partey, Smith, Bandeira, Smith Rowe, Sagoe Jr.

🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️

🧤Turner between the sticks
🆕 Kiwior makes his debut
🖊️ Martinelli in attack

Let’s do this – together! 👊 pic.twitter.com/3caK8GbWbB

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) March 9, 2023

How to watch Sporting CP vs Arsenal

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Sporting CP vs Arsenal betting odds & lines

Arsenal are favourites for the match, but being on the road in European play and given their injuries up front, they still sport plus moneyline odds. Sporting, meanwhile, are below 3/1 as underdogs, meaning they have a real chance to pull off a result.

It’s unclear whether there will be a significant amount of goals scored, as first legs in European action can occasionally get cagey. With Arsenal missing a host of strikers, the under 2.5 goal total is actually a slight favourite, while both teams are thought capable of scoring, but only barely.

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