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3 Sporting CP players Arsenal must be wary of on Thursday evening

By James Cormack

LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 27: Hector Bellerin of Sporting CP celebrates scoring Sporting CP goal with his team mates during the Liga Portugal Bwin match between Sporting CP and GD Estoril at Estadio Jose Alvalade on February 27, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images)
LISBON, PORTUGAL - FEBRUARY 27: Hector Bellerin of Sporting CP celebrates scoring Sporting CP goal with his team mates during the Liga Portugal Bwin match between Sporting CP and GD Estoril at Estadio Jose Alvalade on February 27, 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) /
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2. Pedro Gonçalves

Pedro Gonçalves leads Sporting for both goals and assists in the Primeira Liga this season. (Photo by Zed Jameson/MB Media/Getty Images)
Pedro Gonçalves leads Sporting for both goals and assists in the Primeira Liga this season. (Photo by Zed Jameson/MB Media/Getty Images) /

Gonçalaves, or Pote, is Sporting’s leading goalscorer and assist-maker this season. He’s scored 12 times in the Primeira Liga and added six assists. And while his Europa League campaign began with two goals in the knockout round play-off win over Midtjylland, Pote endured a miserable Champions League group stage as he notched just one goal contribution in five games.

Nevertheless, Pote is Sporting’s most efficient performer in the final third and the Portuguese club’s leading man. He’s developed into a bonafide star after Sporting signed him from Famalicão to replace Bruno Fernandes.

He’s been an output machine since joining the club.

Pote typically operates from the left half-space, but he’s a player that loves to drift in order to make things happen. He has the knack for being in the right place at the right time, with the freedom of his movement rendering him tricky to track.

The Gunners must be cautious of his smart movement and willingness to penetrate the penalty area both with and without the ball.

Continued on the next slide…

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