Arsenal at Sporting CP Champions League: it’s time
Arsenal look to stop their mini-skid on the biggest stage.
LISBON, PORTUGAL - APRIL 06: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta attends a press conference before the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Quarter-Final First Leg match between Sporting Clube de Portugal and Arsenal FC at Estadio Jose Alvalade on April 06, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images) | Arsenal FC via Getty Images Arsenal travel to Lisbon to take on Sporting CP in the first leg of the Champions League Quarterfinal. The Gunners have seen their trophy hopes cut in half over the last two matches with losses to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final and Southampton in the FA Cup Quarterfinal.
Arsenal still have the two biggest trophies on offer, though — the Champions League and the Premier League. Sporting are a strong side with plenty of attacking firepower. They overturned a 3-0 first leg deficit against Bodø/Glimt with a dominating 5-0 win at home in the second leg.
They’ve scored 72 goals this season in league play and boast a +55 goal differential, both of which are best in the Premiera Liga. They trail Porto for the top spot in the table by 5 points with a match in hand. Rui Borges’ side play a counterattacking style, using quick transitions and long balls to stretch the pitch and get attackers in behind.
Colombian striker Luis Suarez leads the club in scoring with 24 goals in 25 league games. Pedro Gonçalves has also scored double-digit goals (13) and Francisco Trincão pulls the strings (13 assists). The two clubs have met seven times.