Arsenal host Sporting CP in the Champions League tonight. Follow the action with our live commentary…
It has been a dismal few weeks for Arsenal but they have the chance to move closer to one of their key objectives tonight when they take on Sporting CP at the Emirates in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Last week’s 1-0 win in Lisbon, courtesy of Kai Havertz’s late goal, was the Gunners’ only victory in their last four games, a run that has seen them lose the EFL Cup final, crash out of the FA Cup and suffer defeat to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has called for “no fear and pure fire” from the players and crowd tonight as they seek a place in the last four against Atletico Madrid.
Sporting are still in the tie and Arteta accepts the job is far from done.
“They are a really good side, and they proved that in the first leg,” he said. “That is why we know tomorrow is going to be a really tough match. They are a team that tries to be dominant through their press and on the ball. We will apply what is necessary to win the game.”
Rui Borges’ side remain second in the Primeira Liga and warmed up for their trip to North London with a 1-0 victory at Estrela at the weekend.
Where to watch Arsenal v Sporting CP: TV and online streams
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK is on TNT Sports 1.
Streaming is on the HBO Max app. TNT Sports costs £30.99 a month and is available on a vast range of devices including smart TVs and gaming consoles.
To watch elsewhere in the world, click HERE to find your local rights holder.
Stats for Arsenal v Sporting CP
- Arsenal are now unbeaten in their six fixtures against Sporting (W3 D3), winning 5-1 in Portugal on Matchday 5 last season. Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard scored for the visitors, Gonçalo Inácio getting Sporting’s sole reply.
- Sporting triumphed in the teams’ only knockout contest, prevailing 5-3 on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw in the 2022/23 UEFA Europa League round of 16 (2-2 h, 1-1 a). Inácio scored for Sporting in the first leg – when William Saliba got Arsenal’s first goal and Sporting’s Hidemasa Morita scored an own goal – and Pedro Gonçalves was on target in the second.
- The teams were also paired in the 2018/19 Europa League group stage, Arsenal winning 1-0 in Portugal before a goalless draw in England.
- English clubs have won the last 10 two-legged Champions League ties against Portuguese opposition, since Benfica’s 3-0 aggregate victory against holders Liverpool in the 2005/06 round of 16.
- This is the 10th European Cup quarter-final involving English and Portuguese clubs; English sides have won all the previous nine.
- Arsenal have lost only one of their last 12 matches against Portuguese teams (W6 D5) and are unbeaten in eight at home (W6 D2).
- The Gunners have won three of their five knockout ties against clubs from Portugal.
