Look for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta to do some shuffling with his lineup on Thursday night. Overall, it doesn’t look like the Gunners gaffer will have a truly 100% match fit, true center forward at his disposal when his side visits Sporting Lisbon on Thursday night.
With that in mind, the front line will see a shake up, as the only player who will likely keep his spot is Bukayo Saka, on the right flank.
Arsenal at Sporting Lisbon FYIs
Kick: Thurs March 9. 5:45pm Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon, Portugal
Competition: Europa League Round of 16, Leg 1/2
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Arsenal Team News: go here
Fun Fact: Arsenal has met Sporting four previous times, and they’ve yet to concede a goal
Stat Pack: Arsenal are undefeated in six previous UEL clashes with Portugese sides
There will also be some squad rotation by design as well, with United States Men’s National Team No.1 Matt Turner coming in between the sticks. That doesn’t happen every day. Kieran Tierney could get a first team assignment, something that hasn’t been happening as much lately.
Arsenal Starting XI Prediction at Sporting Lisbon (Europa League)
Turner; Tomiyasu, Saliba, Kiwior, Tierney; Jorginho, Vieira, Xhaka; Saka, Martinelli, Nelson
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
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