Arsenal vs Sporting CP – Match preview and team news
Arsenal vs Sporting CP – Match preview and team news Arsenal host Sporting CP on Wednesday, aiming to reach the Champions League semi-finals for a second consecutive season. The Gunners hold a slender 1–0 advantage following their quarter-final first leg in Lisbon. Kai Havertz settled that cagey affair with a clinical 91st-minute winner.
However, Mikel Arteta’s side enters this return fixture following a disappointing domestic weekend. A 2–1 loss to Bournemouth has significantly damaged their Premier League title aspirations. Sporting CP, meanwhile travel to North London with hopes of a historic comeback.
The Lions have never reached the semi-finals of this prestigious competition. Rui Borges’ men kept pace at the top of the Primeira Liga with a weekend win. They also famously eliminated Arsenal on penalties at this stadium three years ago.
Sporting must now end a ten-game winless run in England to progress. Arsenal vs Sporting CP – Match preview and team news Date: Wednesday, 15 April 2026 Kick-off: 20:00 BST Venue: Emirates Stadium, London Referee: François Letexier (FRA) VAR: Bastian Dankert (GER) Last Meeting: Sporting CP 0–1 Arsenal (7 April 2026, Champions League) Team news Arsenal Mikel Arteta faces a selection headache with several key performers listed as major doubts. Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and Martin Ødegaard are all facing late fitness assessments.
Riccardo Calafiori and Jurriën Timber also remain touch and go for the match. Specifically, Mikel Merino is definitely ruled out with a foot injury. Eberechi Eze and Piero Hincapié have returned to full fitness sooner than expected.