Arsenal will face their toughest test in Europe so far this season, when they travel to Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon to face Sporting this Thursday. Unai Emery’s men travel to Portugal full in confidence after defeating Leicester City on Monday and playing some brilliant football.

Talking about Europa League – Arsenal defeated Vorskala Portava and Quarabag in their first two group stage fixtures this season while Sporting having won two of their opening Europa games just like Arsenal FC in Group E, we dare say the Thursday encounter in Lisbon will be a feisty one.

When & Where?

Date: Thursday, 25th October 2018
Kick-off at 17.55 UK/ 18.55 CET
Venue: Estadio Jose Alvalade, Lisbon

Team News

Nacho Monreal, Sead Kolasinac and Sokratis Papastathopoulos were absent from Monday’s win over Leicester, although the Greece international could be potentially involved on Thursday night.

Danny Welbeck has also started both previous Group F matches and should continue that run here.

Petr Cech and Maitland-Niles has recovered and returned to full training, but stayed in London.

Dinos Mavropanos (groin) is still sidelined.

READ: Bas Dost: Sporting’s own Alexandre Lacazette

For host, Jeremy Mathieu is expected to be in contention as he returned training at the start of the week. Forwards Bas Dost and Raphinha will be monitored ahead of the clash on Thursday.

Predicted Line-up

Sporting Lisbon possible XI: Salin; Gaspar, Coates, Mathieu, Jefferson; Nani, Fernandes, Gudelj, Acuna, Mane; Montero

Arsenal possible XI: Leno; Bellerin, Holding, Sokratis, Lichsteiner; Elneny, Guendouzi; Smith Rowe, Ramsey, Welbeck; Aubameyang