Predicted Arsenal lineup vs Sporting CP - Champions League

The spirits are high in the Arsenal camp ahead of another tough continental trip.

The Gunners were beaten at the San Siro last time out in the Champions League as a Hakan Calhanoglu penalty helped Inter to a 1-0 victory over Mikel Arteta's side. This time, Arsenal face another well-drilled European opponent overseas, but their travelling to Lisbon on this occasion to take on Sporting CP.

They may no longer be led by Ruben Amorim, but the personnel which has inspired their supreme start to the 2024/25 season remains the same. Joao Pereira's reign started with a 6-0 win on the Taca de Portugal on Friday night.

Arsenal are going to have to be very good on Tuesday night to escape with a result, and Arteta's surely going to go big with his team selection having rested a couple at the weekend.

Here's how Arsenal could line up against Sporting for their upcoming Champions League bout.

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

Goalkeeper & Defenders

David Raya (GK) - Arsenal's suffocating performance on Saturday meant Raya enjoyed a quiet afternoon as he recorded a long overdue clean sheet. Expect the Spaniard to be busier on Tuesday.

Jurrien Timber (RB) - The Dutchman looks at home on the right flank and is set to rack up a string of starts given Arsenal's current absences.

William Saliba (CB) - Saliba was brilliant on Saturday, and he's going to have to be at his very best to shun the transitional threat of powerful channel runner Viktor Gyokeres, who's scoring goals for fun in Lisbon.

Gabriel (CB) - Gabriel will aid Saliba against Gyokeres, but the Brazilian's aggression will play a role in denying Sporting's creators from having joy between the lines.

Riccardo Calafiori (LB) - The Italian defender got through an hour of action on Saturday after returning from a knee injury, and he'll be preferred to Oleksandr Zinchenko again in midweek. There are murmurs of Kieran Tierney travelling with the team.

Midfielders

Thomas Partey (CM) - Partey impressed off the bench at the weekend, and while Jorginho manifested his value in the first half, the Ghanaian has been Arteta's go-to man at the base of Arsenal's midfield.

Mikel Merino (CM) - Declan Rice may return to the matchday squad, but a start is unlikely. Merino is strating to grow in comfort in Arteta's engine room, and should get the nod again on Tuesday night.

Martin Odegaard (CM) - Two assists in as many starts for the captain since he returned from injury, Odegaard has swiftly reminded us all of his importance to this Arsenal team. Let's never play a game without him again, eh?

Forwards

Bukayo Saka (RW) - Saka looked fresh after enjoying the international break off, and we can only hope his weekend's exuberance permeates into this fixture. He'll be tested by a stern Sporting defence and see plenty of the highly regarded Goncalo Inacio in Lisbon.

Kai Havertz (ST) - Arsenal started a Premier League match without Havertz for the first time since January at the weekend, so the German is a sure bet to come back into the team in midweek given that he's not dealing with an injury.

Gabriel Martinelli (LW) - Martinelli also earned a breather at the weekend after returning from South America. Leandro Trossard looked assured against Forest, but this might be a game for the Brazilian.

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