champions league The action returns tonight and Arsenal We hope to bring home a positive result when they face Sporting Lisbon at the Estádio José Alvalade.
The Gunners come into the game in 13th place in the table after picking up seven points from their first four games. A narrow 1-0 defeat to Inter Milan last time out has left Arsenal under pressure to claim an away win against Sporting. Mikel Arteta has asked his players to achieve their first away victory in Europe this season.
The Spanish boss has called up some of his rested big guns for the win over Nottingham Forest at the weekend with four changes to the team that started on Saturday.
Goalkeeper David Raya starts once again between the sticks for Arsenal, while Jurrien Timber retains his place at right-back and Ben White faces a prolonged spell on the sidelines following knee surgery.
Riccardo Calafiori maintains his place at left back after returning from injury at the weekend, while Gabriel Magalhaes accompanies William Saliba in the middle of Arsenal's back four once again.
Declan Rice He was rested for the win over Forest on Saturday as he continued to recover from a toe injury, but was called upon to start in midfield tonight. Thomas Partey also returns to the Arsenal starting XI with Jorginho and Mikel Merino making way.
Martin Odegaard captains the Gunners tonight and Arteta will look for the Norwegian international to provide the creative spark in the final third. Bukayo Saka He starts at right back and will be Arsenal's main goal threat following his MOTM display against Forest at the weekend.
Gabriel Martinelli was rested against Forest, but the Brazil international is called up to replace Leandro Trossard on the left wing. Kai Havertz comes for Gabriel Jesus in front.
Here are the confirmed lineups:
Sporting Lisbon
Israel, St Juste, Diomande, Inacio, Quenda, Hjulmand, Morita, Maxi Araujo, Trincao, Edwards, Gyokeres
Substitutes: Kovačević, Callai, Reis, Fresneda, Esgaio, Alves, Bragança, Brito, Simões, Harder, CatamoCouto.
Arsenal
stripe; Wood, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Partey, Rice, Ødegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Havertz.
Substitutes: Neto, Setford, Tierney, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Jorginho, Sterling, Nwaneri, Trossard, Jesús.
