Sporting suffer double injury blow ahead of Arsenal Champions League clash

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Sporting CP travel to Arsenal in the Champions League on Wednesday evening as the sides go head-to-head for a place in the semi-finals

Sporting CP are sweating on the fitness of two stars ahead of their midweek Champions League trip to Arsenal.

The Portuguese side are seeking to overturn a 1-0 deficit when they head to the Emirates Stadium having previously eliminated the Gunners from the Europa League back in 2023.

However, local reports in Lisbon indicate that full-back Ivan Fresneda, who was once on Mikel Arteta's transfer shortlist, and teenage midfielder Joao Simoes are both doubtful for the contest.

Fresneda is being assessed after picking up a muscle injury in Saturday's 1-0 Primeira Liga victory at CF Estrela Amadora.

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The 21-year-old right-back started the game but was withdrawn at half-time as a precaution. It's understood he's suffering from a muscular issue and tests are currently being conducted to see if he can be available.

Sporting boss Rui Borges issued an update on Fresneda on Saturday, stating: “He left due to physical complaints. Due to the accumulation of minutes and games, we opted to take him off at half-time.”

Meanwhile, Simoes sat out last weekend's fixture due to injury having started the first-leg against Arsenal at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.

Two players have already been ruled out of the match-up at the Emirates Stadium: Greek attacker Fotis Ioannidis and former West Ham winger Luis Guilherme.

Arsenal are battling several injury problems of its own following Saturday's 2-1 Premier League defeat to Bournemouth.

Gunners captain Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and full-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Jurrien Timber all missed the game against the Cherries.

Odegaard has suffered a minor injury setback and was forced off in the second half in Lisbon after starting the match.

Saka has been missing since the Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City while Calafiori also started in Lisbon but picked up a problem.

Timber has not played since last month's 2-0 win over Everton, though there's hope he should be ready to return soon.

Arteta is poised to deliver an injury update during his press conference on Tuesday, however, the Spaniard is usually coy on team news as he is reluctant to give away clues regarding his starting line-up.