Arsenal predicted lineup vs Sporting CP - Champions League | OneFootball

A return to winning ways in the Premier League means Arsenal head to a tough Champions League away day against Sporting CP in a brighter mood.

The Gunners didn't give Nottingham Forest an inch in their 3-0 triumph on Saturday as Martin Odegaard dazzled on his second start since returning from an ankle injury. The skipper's influence was all over Arsenal's recent triumph, and Mikel Arteta is hunting a statement continental victory after they were beaten by Inter on Matchday 4 of the league phase.

Arsenal are doubtlessly getting healthier, although Ben White, Takehiero Tomiyasu, and Kieran Tierney remain sidelined. Declan Rice is bound for a return to the matchday squad in midweek, while those rested on Saturday will benefit on Tuesday.

Here's how Arsenal could line up for their Champions League duel in Lisbon.

Arsenal predicted lineup vs Sporting CP (4-3-3)

Kai Havertz is set to return to the Arsenal XI on Tuesday night / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

GK: David Raya - The Premier League Golden Glove holder finally recorded a shut-out at the weekend having struggled to do so thus far. Forest failed to record a shot on target on Saturday. Expect Raya to be busier in Lisbon.

RB: Jurrien Timber - Arteta's carefully managed Timber this term, but he's bound to rack up a string of starts before Christmas with White and Tomiyasu out of action.

CB: William Saliba - Viktor Gyokeres may well be Saliba's toughest test of the season so far. Not only is the Swede in remarkable scoring form, but he's also a destructive channel runner who'll aim to penetrate in behind relentlessly.

CB: Gabriel - The Brazilian surely won't allow Saliba to defend Gyokeres one-on-one throughout, although Gabriel will have to keep tabs on Sporting's playmakers between the lines.

LB: Riccardo Calafiori - The Italian got through an hour on Saturday after returning from a knee injury, and Arteta will keep a close eye on him. Still, he's going to be preferred to Oleksandr Zinchenko.

CM: Thomas Partey - The midfielder was among the scorers on Saturday having entered the fray for the second half. Partey has been a constant in the Arsenal XI this season and is set to return to the lineup in Lisbon.

CM: Mikel Merino - Merino is showing signs of comfort in Arsenal's midfield having had the start to his career in north London disrupted by a shoulder injury. Declan Rice could earn minutes off the bench.

CM: Martin Odegaard - Odegaard was dynamite on Saturday, with his presence rendering this Arsenal team far more balanced and watchable. He's going to be featuring heavily from here on out.

RW: Bukayo Saka - The two-week break did Saka wonders as he played a major role in Arsenal's 3-0 rout of Forest. His electric connection with Odegaard hasn't ceased, and the pair have huge roles to play in Lisbon.

ST: Kai Havertz - Havertz wasn't included in the Arsenal XI on Saturday for the first time since January, but the German's presence wasn't sorely missed. Still, with Gabriel Jesus failing to fire, Havertz is a sure bet to return to the Gunners' frontline.

LW: Gabriel Martinelli - Leandro Trossard produced his brightest performance in weeks last time out, but there could be more rotation in Arsenal's attack with Martinelli, who didn't play against Forest, replacing the Belgian.