For Arsenal, the quest for an unprecedented quadruple may have vanished in the space of ten days, but the hunt for the Champions League remains the ultimate priority. Following back-to-back defeats to Manchester City (Carabao Cup final) and Southampton (FA Cup), Mikel Arteta’s side travels to the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, to face Sporting CP in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals.
Arteta has dismissed talk of a "crisis" or "panic," urging his squad to use the "pain and fuel" of their recent exits to reignite a campaign that still sees them nine points clear at the top of the Premier League. However, they face a Sporting side under Rui Borges that is currently riding a wave of momentum and eyeing their first-ever semi-final appearance.
The Arsenal manager has faced scrutiny for his squad rotation in the shock loss at St Mary’s, but he remains steadfast in his tactical philosophy. Arteta emphasized that the team’s identity, which saw them win all eight league-stage matches earlier in the competition, must be the primary focus.
Instead of panic, understand if that happens, why it happened, and bring clarity. Feel the pain, feel the emotion, and use it to be better and improve. We are hungrier than ever.Mikel Arteta
| Status | Players | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| OUT | Bukayo Saka & Jurriën Timber | Both stayed in London; expected back for Bournemouth. |
| FIT / BACK | Declan Rice & Leandro Trossard | Both missed the Southampton game but traveled to Lisbon. |
| CLEARED | Gabriel Magalhães | Recovered from the knee scare suffered on Saturday. |
| IN GOAL | David Raya | Replaces Kepa Arrizabalaga after the latter's cup starts. |
The evening’s most compelling subplot is the return of Viktor Gyokeres to the Estadio Jose Alvalade. The Swedish striker, who scored a staggering 97 goals in 102 appearances for Sporting, is expected to start for the Gunners.
While some fans may harbor resentment over his £63.5m move last summer, Sporting boss Rui Borges expects a warm reception for a player who "marked the history" of the club. Gyokeres comes into the game in fine form, having scored as a substitute in the recent FA Cup match.
Sporting are no longer the side that Arsenal thrashed 5-1 last season. Under Rui Borges, they have become a defensively disciplined unit capable of extraordinary comebacks, as evidenced by their 5-0 second-leg demolition of Bodø/Glimt.
Wounded beast: Borges believes Arsenal’s recent losses make them more dangerous. "They will be more focused, more willing to show their collective and individual capacity," he warned.
Keeper: David Raya’s return is seen as a move to restore defensive stability. Raya himself noted that the squad must "use that pain" to pick up the slack for the remainder of the season.
European perfection: Arsenal became the first team in history to win all eight matches of the new Champions League league stage earlier this season.
Injury plagued: Despite the return of Rice and Gabriel, Arsenal were hit with 11 injury withdrawals during the recent international break.
Nearly men tag: Arsenal are desperate to win their first major trophy since 2020 to shed the reputation of falling short in the final hurdles.
Sporting’s goal: The Portuguese champions have never reached a Champions League semi-final; they view the "vulnerable" Gunners as their best historical opportunity.
This is the most critical period of the season for Mikel Arteta. A third successive defeat would not only damage their European hopes but could potentially allow Manchester City, who look imperious after thumping Liverpool 4-0, to sense blood in the Premier League race. If Arsenal can rediscover their clinical edge in Lisbon, the "wounded beast" may well find its way to the final four.