Sporting CP vs Arsenal LIVE updates as Declan Rice and Viktor Gyokeres start in eight changes

2 hours ago 8

Arsenal take on Sporting CP at the Jose Alvalade Stadium in the Champions League quarter-final first leg, looking to take a strong result back to the Emirates. Mikel Arteta needs a response from his players after back-to-back defeats in the League Cup and FA Cup.

It has narrowed Arsenal’s view of their potential winnings this season, with a strong grip on the Premier League but a chance of European glory just five games away. There are some players returning with Gabriel Magalhaes overcoming his knock at Southampton and both Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard making the trip.

Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber, however, are still not yet fit and pushing for a return in the not-so-distant future. The big storyline will be Viktor Gyokeres, however, as he faces his former club with expectations over his reception mixed so far.

Tom Canton, our Arsenal reporter, is at the Jose Alvalade Stadium and will bring you all the latest news and updates as it happens...

18:55Tom Canton

Sporting CP team confirmed

Sporting: Silva, Araujo, Inacio, Diomande, Fresneda, Morita, Simoes, Goncalves, Trincao, Catamo, Suarez

18:52Tom Canton

Arsenal team confirmed

Arsenal starting XI: Raya, White, Saliba, Magalhaes, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard

Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Ranson, Lewis-Skelly, Salmon, Mosquera, Norgaard, Martinelli, Dowman, Havertz, Jesus, Harriman-Annous.

18:52Tom Canton

Arsenal predicted XI vs Sporting CP as Declan Rice recovers to start with two others

Arsenal take on Sporting CP in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final in Lisbon. The Gunners will be aiming to reach back-to-back semi-finals in the competition for the first time in their history.

Mikel Arteta has welcomed back some of his key players to the squad after the international break proved a challenging fortnight for some. Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have returned to training, while Gabriel Magalhaes also trained despite coming off against Southampton.

Yet there remain some key players missing, including Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber. Viktor Gyokeres returns to face his former club, having left in contentious circumstances less than a year ago.

Read who football.london predicts will start here.

18:52Tom Canton

Gyokeres reaction

Viktor Gyokeres was clapped by Sporting CP fans as he came off the bus as the Arsenal team arrive at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

18:52Tom Canton

Every word Mikel Arteta said on Arsenal vs Sporting CP, injury news, Gyokeres and bouncing back

Mikel Arteta faced the media ahead of his Arsenal side’s Champions League quarter-final clash with Sporting CP in Lisbon. The Gunners have the chance to respond after two difficult performances that have seen their potential trophy aims drop from four to two.

There are several players the manager was asked for updates on as the Spaniard gets some back into the squad after recovering from injuries. However, some sadly did not make the trip.

Viktor Gyokeres was naturally a big focus, considering he will play against his former club. The Arsenal coach gave his thoughts on the player and why they signed him too.

Read every word Mikel Arteta said in his pre-match press conference here.