Saka absent as Madueke starts for Arsenal at Sporting Portugal in Champions League quarter-final first leg | OneFootball

According to L'Équipe, Arsenal will begin their Champions League quarter-final first leg away to Sporting Portugal on Tuesday at 21:00 without Bukayo Saka, who is not fit. Noni Madueke starts in his place.

Madueke has five appearances and three goals in the competition this season and will operate on the right wing.

Mikel Arteta has also chosen Leandro Trossard on the left ahead of Gabriel Martinelli. Centre-back Gabriel, injured in the Cup, is available and starts alongside William Saliba.

Arsenal come into the tie after a 0-2 defeat to Manchester City in the League Cup final on 22 March, followed by a 1-2 FA Cup quarter-final loss to Southampton, from the second tier, on Sunday.

The Premier League leaders are on back-to-back defeats in all competitions, a first this season.

Source: L'Équipe