Declan Rice has returned to Arsenal’s starting XI for their Champions League clash at Sporting CP tonight.
The Gunners are looking to bounce back in Europe after losing 1-0 to Inter Milan last time out which leaves them 13th in the standings.
Mikel Arteta’s men earned their first victory in four games in all competitions on Saturday with a 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest and will be keen to back that encouraging result with a victory in Lisbon.
Sporting play their first game in Europe’s elite competition since Ruben Amorim’s departure for Manchester United after kicking off their new era under Joao Pereira with a 6-0 thrashing of Amarante FC last Friday.
Arsenal will be wary of the Portuguese title holders after they swept aside Manchester City 4-1 in their last outing in Europe, with hat-trick scorer in that game Viktor Gyokeres named in the starting XI.
Arsenal team news
David Raya starts in goal behind a back four of Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Gabriel and Riccardo Califiori.
Rice starts in midfield alongside Thomas Partey, with captain and chief creator Martin Odegaard selected further forward.
The front three sees Bukayo Saka on the right and Gabriel Martinelli on the left with Kai Havertz leading the line.
Arsenal XI: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori, Odegaard, Partey, Rice, Saka, Martinelli, Havertz.
Subs: Neto, Setford, Tierney, Kiwior, Zinchenko, Lewis-Skelly, Merino, Jorginho, Sterling, Nwaneri, Trossard, Jesus.
🔴 𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 ⚪️
⚓️ Rice returns
⚡️ Martinelli down the wing
🎩 Havertz leads the lineBlank out the noise – COME ON YOU GUNNERS!!
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) November 26, 2024
Sporting team news
Gyokeres leads the line for the Portuguese side following his hat-trick display against Arsenal’s Premier League rivals City at the same venue a fortnight ago.
The Swedish striker has scored 23 goals this season including five in the Champions League.
Former Tottenham youngster Marcus Edwards also starts on the right-wing for the hosts.
Sporting XI: Israel, St Juste, Inacio, Diomande, Araujo, Morita, Quenda, Hjulmand, Edwards, Gyokeres, Trincao.
Subs: Kovacevic, Callai, Reis, Harder, Catamo, Fresneda, Braganca, Esgaio, Brito, Simoes, Monteiro, Couto.
Os Leões 👥 titulares no jogo de hoje! #SCPARS #UCL pic.twitter.com/3b3cyYQB1D
— Sporting CP (@SportingCP) November 26, 2024
