3 talking points ahead of Sporting CP vs Arsenal

Arsenal travel to Lisbon and face Sporting CP in the Champions League on Tuesday evening as they return to action in Europe's biggest club competition.

Mikel Arteta oversaw a first victory since early October last time out as his side cruised to a 3-0 win at home to Nottingham Forest. Fine finishes from Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey had the Gunners well on their way to victory before a maiden Premier League goal for Ethan Nwaneri sealed the three points. In Arsenal's last Champions League outing, they fell to a 1-0 defeat to Inter.

As the Gunners look to transition their winning form to the European stage, there are three key talking points ahead of this continental clash.

1. Improving European form

Arsenal could do with improving their form in Europe having lost their last outing to Inter. The defeat in Italy saw them drop down to 12th place in the Champions League table, leaving them outside of the automatic knockout stage qualification spots.

The trip to Sporting will be the fifth of eight league phase games for the Gunners so they must improve their form, starting with Tuesday's tie. They don't want to fall further behind in the race for qualification.

The Gunners are still in the spots for the play-off round but having to play two extra games would not be ideal. A win against Sporting is crucial for Arsenal to not only improve their form but also get them back up the table.

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