Mikel Arteta to make four big changes vs Sporting CP as 24yo Arsenal star returns

Arsenal host Sporting CP in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium tonight.

The Gunners have a 1-0 advantage after the first leg away. Kai Havertz scored a late 91st-minute winner for the London giants.

This was followed up by a disappointing 2-1 Premier League loss to Bournemouth, and manager Mikel Arteta will want his players to make amends.

Ahead of the game, Arteta could make four changes from the recent defeat to the Cherries at home.

Left-back switch

Myles Lewis-Skelly had a decent outing on his return to the Premier League XI, but he was caught out positionally at times. Piero Hincapie was the regular starting left-back prior to his hamstring injury on international duty. The 24-year-old should be reinstated, with Riccardo Calafiori doubtful. The Italian was missing from yesterday’s training session.

Norgaard starts in midfield

Declan Rice is another major doubt for tonight’s game after being unable to train yesterday. The Englishman has had a heavy workload throughout the campaign and was a surprise absentee from training yesterday. Arteta may not take any risks with him ahead of a huge Premier League clash at Manchester City.

In the worst-case scenario, the club’s record signing could feature on the bench with Christian Norgaard getting another European start. The Dane could feature as the holding midfielder for the Gunners tonight with Martin Zubimendi operating in the number eight position. Zubimendi needs to step up after a poor outing last weekend. He won just 38 percent of his duels.

Two changes in attack

Havertz was rewarded with a starting spot after his winner at Sporting CP, but he struggled to impose himself in the number 10 role against Bournemouth. The German was guilty of missing a big chance in the opening half and was eventually subbed off before the hour mark. Eberechi Eze came on to replace him. The Englishman returned from a calf injury, and we expect him to start tonight. Martin Odegaard remains doubtful with a minor issue alongside Bukayo Saka.

Gabriel Martinelli was lauded for his assist in the first leg against Sporting CP at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. He failed to capitalise on his start against the Cherries on Saturday. Hence, we won’t be surprised if there is a straight swap. Leandro Trossard could return to the starting line-up on the left wing ahead of the Brazil international once more.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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