The predicted list and where to watch the Champions League last-16 match
Mikel Arteta is not interested in silencing critics and says his only motivation is to give Arsenal fans success.
Arsenal’s recent slump which has seen them lose the EFL Cup final to Manchester City, exit the FA Cup against Southampton, and lose to Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday, has seen them targeted by social media haters who say the club have started to ‘bottle it down’ when it comes to numbers.
They won 1-0 at Sporting CP in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal last week and are in the running for a place in the last four tonight.
That will provide a huge psychological boost ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with City and Arteta insists he is focused on delivering success at the Emirates.
He said: “The aim is to give people what they deserve what they want, it is not for others, the power belongs to these people because they deserve it.
“The players need an idea of where they are in the Champions League and the Premier League.
“We need to accept that, and the higher you go, the more powerful it becomes. I want more, and the line becomes thin between being the best and the worst, and you have to deal with that.”
Arsenal have been plagued by injury problems in recent games and the situation has not eased as Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Jurrien Timber, Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori all missed the open training session today.
“We know how important it is to be available at this crucial time of the season,” added Arteta.
“We’ve probably been missing four or five starters for the last four weeks, which has had an impact. We need them back, that’s for sure.”
Sporting CP are still struggling and Arteta admits the job is far from done.
“They are a really good team, and they proved that in the first leg,” he said. “That’s why we know that tomorrow will be a very difficult game. They are a team that tries to be strong with newspapers and football. We will use what is necessary to win the game.”
Rui Borges’ side sit second in the Primeira Liga and warmed up for their trip to North London with a 1-0 win at the Estrela at the weekend.
Arsenal v Sporting CP team news
Arteta said that one of Bukayo Saka or Jurrien Timber could fit the latter. Rice is unlikely to be put at risk with City on the horizon. Mikel Merino remains a long-term victim.
Sports will be without Nuno Santos, Luís Guilherme and Fotis Ioannidis.
Arsenal v Sporting CP predicted lineup
Arsenal: Raya; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Timber; Zubimendi, Norgaard, Eze; Madueke, Martinelli, Gyokeres
Sports CP: Rui Silva; Fresneda, Diomande, Gonçalo Inácio, Araújo; Hjulmand, Morita; Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Pedro Gonçalves; Suarez
Where to watch Arsenal v Sporting CP: TV and online streaming
Kick-off on Wednesday is at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT). Live TV coverage in the UK on TNT Sports 1.
Live streaming on the HBO Max app. TNT Sports costs £30.99 a month and is available on a wide range of devices including smart TVs and games consoles.
To watch elsewhere in the world, click HERE to find the local rights holder.
