Arsenal return to Champions League action on Tuesday night with a tough away trip to Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon. The Gunners will aim to build on their morale-boosting Premier League victory over Nottingham Forest, while Sporting look to continue their dominant form under new management.

A two-week international break worked wonders for Mikel Arteta’s side, as they snapped a four-game winless run in the Premier League with a commanding 3-0 victory over a defensively sound Nottingham Forest.

Arsenal’s resurgence was headlined by stunning strikes from Bukayo Saka and Thomas Partey, while 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri grabbed his first Premier League goal, becoming Arsenal’s second-youngest scorer after Cesc Fabregas. Despite his bright showing against Forest, Nwaneri was unable to turn the tide for Arsenal in their previous Champions League outing, where Hakan Calhanoglu’s penalty handed Inter Milan a narrow 1-0 victory. That loss marked Arsenal’s first defeat and first goal conceded in this year’s competition, leaving them 12th in the 36-team rankings. However, with just two points separating them from a top-eight spot and automatic knockout qualification, Arsenal remain in contention. Martin Odegaard’s return should reinvigorate the Gunners’ midfield, but their Champions League away form raises concerns. Arsenal have failed to win any of their last five away matches in the competition and have not scored in the last four. Should they draw another blank, they would join Manchester United (2004-05) as the only Premier League sides to go scoreless in five consecutive Champions League away games.

Their hosts, Sporting Lisbon, are enjoying a rich vein of form and will hope to capitalize on Arsenal’s shaky European away record. Following the departure of Ruben Amorim, new head coach Joao Pereira began his reign in emphatic fashion with a 6-0 thrashing of Amarante in the Taca de Portugal. Swedish forward Viktor Gyokeres, rumored to be an Arsenal target, was among the scorers and continues to impress. Gyokeres was also the star of Sporting’s 4-1 demolition of Manchester City in Amorim’s final Champions League match, netting a hat trick to stun the Premier League champions. Now under Pereira’s guidance, Sporting are unbeaten in this year’s competition, with only Liverpool performing better. The Portuguese side head into Tuesday’s clash seeking their 10th consecutive victory in all competitions, having scored an impressive 31 goals in their previous nine games. Sporting’s fortress-like home form further complicates Arsenal’s task. The hosts are on a 14-match winning streak at Estadio Jose Alvalade, with their last home draw coming against Atalanta in the Europa League back in March. While Sporting eliminated Arsenal on penalties in the 2022-23 Europa League last 16, they are yet to claim a victory over the Gunners in regular time.

Arsenal’s injury concerns have eased considerably in recent weeks, with Ben White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee), and Kieran Tierney (hamstring) the only absentees. Tierney is back in training but not ready to feature. Recent doubts over Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, and Declan Rice have been alleviated, with all three fit and available. Rice is expected to return to the starting lineup after sitting out the Forest match, while Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz are also likely to feature. Arteta faces a selection headache in midfield, choosing between Thomas Partey and Mikel Merino for a starting role. Sporting are also near full strength, with only Nuno Santos (knee) and Pedro Goncalves missing. Marcus Edwards, formerly of Tottenham, impressed with two goals against Amarante and could line up alongside Trincao and Gyokeres in attack. Gyokeres has been a revelation this season, contributing 28 goals (24 scored, four assisted) in just 19 appearances across all competitions.

Arsenal’s trip to Lisbon would have looked far more daunting prior to their recent resurgence, but Saturday’s dominant display could signal a turning point. Nevertheless, Sporting’s firepower and flawless home record make them formidable opponents. A closely contested match is expected, with the Gunners likely to end Sporting’s perfect home streak but settling for a hard-earned point in this Champions League thriller.

Best Tip: Over 1.5

Correct Score: 1-1