Arsenal XI vs Sporting CP: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Champions League | OneFootball

Gunners take one-goal lead back to Emirates Stadium ahead of second leg

Arsenal are set to be without key stars once again when they face Sporting for a place in the Champions League semi-finals.

The Gunners secured that victory without Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber, and Arteta indicated that at least one of them will miss out again.

However, the Spaniard later suggested that Saka is unlikely to be involved for the first time since the international break.

"It's something that he was carrying for a while," Arteta said. "It was an Achilles issue.

"It's progression but hopefully it's going to be a matter of days and not weeks. But he has to see when the load is more how he responds to that kind of progression."

Declan Rice is also a doubt. He missed training on Tuesday with an issue he picked up in the defeat to Bournemouth over the weekend.

However, asked what that injury was, Arteta responded: "I don't want to do that. We have to wait and see. Obviously he wasn't available to train."

Eberechi Eze is now fit again after a calf injury and is pushing to come back into the starting lineup, especially with Martin Odegaard unlikely to be involved.

Kai Havertz netted a late winner is Lisbon last week but could have to settle for a place on the bench again, unless Arteta decides to drop Viktor Gyokeres to the bench against his former club.

Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Zubimendi, Norgaard; Madueke, Eze, Martinelli; Gyokeres

Injured: Merino, Saka

Time and date: 8pm BST on Saturday, April 14, 2026