Arsenal XI vs Sporting: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Europa League game today
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rsenal take on Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 tie tonight, with Eddie Nketiah, Leandro Trossard and Kieran Tierney all sidelined.
Midfielder Mohamed Elneny is also out of the trip to Portugal with a knee injury, but it is unclear at this stage if Gabriel Jesus is match fit and in the squad.
Nketiah and Trossard’s absences mean that Gabriel Martinelli may have to lead the line, with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe likely to play either side of him.
Reiss Nelson, who scored the winner at the weekend against Bournemouth, is also pushing to start.
Goalkeeper Matt Turner should come in for Aaron Ramsdale, while Takehiro Tomiyasu may start in the absence of Tierney through illness.
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Jorginho is due to replace Thomas Partey at the base of midfield and Granit Xhaka is primed to play after being rested against Bournemouth.
Arsenal predicted XI (4-3-3): Turner; White, Holding, Gabriel, Tomiyasu; Odegaard, Jorginho, Xhaka; Saka, Martinelli, Smith Rowe
Thursday 5.45pm GMT, BT Sport
Venue: Estádio José Alvalade
Referee: Tobias Stieler
Arsenal squad from: Hein, Ramsdale, Turner; Gabriel, Holding, Kiwior, Saliba, Tomiyasu, White, Zinchenko; Odegaard, Partey, Saka, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Xhaka; Jesus, Martinelli, Nelson
Injured: Elneny (knee), Nketiah (ankle), Tierney (ill), Trossard (groin)
Doubt: Jesus (knee)
