Arsenal Face Sporting Test in Lisbon as Champions League Quarter-Final Begins

Arsenal travel to Portugal to take on Sporting in the opening leg of their Champions League quarter-final, seeking a return to winning ways after a challenging run of results.

Recent defeats to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup quarter-final have ended Arsenal’s hopes of a quadruple, shifting their attention to the Premier League and Europe’s premier competition.

While still strong contenders in both competitions, Arsenal’s current form will be under scrutiny against a Sporting side in excellent shape, having suffered only one defeat in their last 16 matches and producing a dominant round-of-16 victory over Bodo/Glimt.

The tie also marks Viktor Gyokeres’ return to face his former club following his transfer to Arsenal last summer.

Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm BST on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at the Estadio José Alvalade in Lisbon.

On the team news front, Arsenal are managing several injuries. Gabriel is expected to be available after a knee issue, but Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber remain sidelined. Piero Hincapie, Eberechi Eze, and Mikel Merino are also unavailable due to injury.

Sporting will be without Geovany Quenda and Luis Guilherme due to injury, while Giorgi Kochorashvili and Ricardo Mangas are also absent. Morten Hjulmand is suspended for the first leg.

Arsenal will be determined to respond to recent setbacks and assert themselves on the European stage, while Sporting look to take advantage of home conditions and secure a positive result ahead of the second leg.

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