Arsenal show worrying signs before decisive Sporting clash | OneFootball

Sporting host Arsenal for the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, with the English side arriving at Alvalade during a difficult spell. Mikel Arteta's team have suffered two consecutive defeats, something rare this season. The current moment contrasts with the consistency they had shown throughout the year.

Arsenal lost 2-1 to Southampton in the FA Cup this Saturday, after a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup final. The two defeats ruled the Gunners out of possible trophies. It is their first negative run of the 2025/26 season.

Defensively, the numbers show greater vulnerability. In 2026, Arsenal have already conceded 21 goals in 23 matches, well above the 13 they had let in by the end of 2025. The drop-off helps explain their recent loss of consistency. Their attacking efficiency has also declined, with only 11 shots on target in the last eight matches.

In addition, Arsenal have been dealing with several injury absences. Players such as Jurrien Timber, Eberechi Eze, Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Piero Hincapié, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino missed the last match. These limitations have reduced Mikel Arteta's options.

The green-and-white club return to action next Tuesday, 7 April, against Arsenal. The match, which is the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals, will be played at the José Alvalade Stadium at 8:00 pm.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.