The gunners are in imperious form heading to the Iberian Peninsula for the first of their double-header against Jose Peseiro’s Sporting Lisbon at the Estadio Jose Alvalade Stadium on Thursday Night. Arsenal put on dazzling display in the second half of their Monday night fixture against Leicester City at the Emirates Stadium to notch their tenth consecutive win in all competitions this season.
Unai Emery began the season with two successive losses against champions Manchester City and Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea. Since then, they have gone on a barnstorming run of ten successive wins in all competitions but their Europa fixture this week will most likely present the toughest contest since the Chelsea and City game at least on paper.
Sporting are an historical club with huge traditions but have not really been doing the business in the league this season. With 7 games played so far in the Primeira Liga, Sporting are 5th on 8 points, having won four games, drawn one and lost two. What they have going for them is that the losses have been on the road while they have won all 5 of their competitive fixtures at home.
In Europe, they have won their first two games in the Europa League. A 2-0 win over Qarabag and a 2-1 win over Vorskla Poltava. Sporting’s inconsistencies this season may be linked to the devilish circumstances around the club over the summer. The Sporting squad was attacked in May by a band of Ultras at the club’s training centre and that left a damaging impression on the psyche of some of the players, 11 of them opting on to terminate their contracts over the summer. This list includes Rui Patricio, William Carvalho, Gelson Martin and Bruno Fernandes. Sinisa Mihajlovic replaced Jorge Jesus but he only lasted nine days before being replaced by Jose Peseiro for his second spell in charge of the Green and Whites.
Team News
Sead Kolasinac and Nacho Monreal missed the Leicester game and will be accessed for their readiness for this fixture. Petr Cech, Maitland Niles and Sokratis are back in full training but it is not yet certain what level of fitness they have. Unai Emery will likely rotate his side for this game coming less than 72 hours after the Leicester game. Aubameyang will likely start his first game since his return from injury as well as Guendouzi, Welbeck and Ramsey who have all been on the fringes a little.
Sporting welcome back Jeremy Mathieu after returning to full training. Montero may likely start up front with Bas Dost and Raphina major doubts. Romain Salin and Bruno Cesar are also back in contention after being part of the squad for Saturday’s game against Loures. Ex-Manchester United winger Nani is Sporting’s leading scorer this season with 3 goals.
Verdict
Unai Emery will have Wenger’s record in sight. Arsenal’s longest winning run under Wenger came back in October of 2007 in a 12-game streak. Emery’s men have scored 30 goals so far this season and Sporting’s defence will find it difficult to stop their attackers. However, Arsenal have only kept 3 clean sheets in 12 outings while sporting haven’t failed to score in Europa league since 2015. This should be a high scoring game with Arsenal extending their winning run or a high scoring draw.
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