Arsenal have been handed a difficult draw in the Europa League round of 16 but history shows it may not be as bad as first feared. The Gunners will face Portuguese side Sporting CP away from home in the first leg, before returning for the second leg at the Emirates Stadium.
The north Londoners advanced straight into the round of 16 stage after winning Group A ahead of PSV Eindhoven, Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich prior to the World Cup. Arsenal are now only involved in the Europa League and Premier League, but have a good chance of winning both titles this season.
Mikel Arteta's side sit two points clear of Manchester City in the title race but face a slightly congested fixture list in March with the return of European action. Arsenal's rivals Manchester United also progressed into the round of 16 of the Europa League and should both teams qualify for the quarter-finals, it could set up an all English affair later in the competition.
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Sporting were dumped out of the Champions League in the group stages after finishing third, behind Tottenham and Marseille. This saw them drop into the Europa League play-off stage as they beat FC Midtjylland 4-0 on aggregate to set up a tie against the Gunners.
The Portuguese outfit currently sit fourth in the Primeira Liga, 10 points off a Champions League qualification spot meaning it is likely that they will miss out on featuring in Europe's top competition unless they win the Europa League. Whilst they still pose a serious threat and will prove to be difficult opposition for the Gunners, Arteta may not be as fearful as firs thought.
The north Londoners have been handed a perfect omen ahead of the round of 16 tie, with Sporting having never scored against the Gunners in their history. Granted, the two teams have only met four times before but it's an early confidence booster for Arteta's side.
The last time the two teams faced each other was back in the Europa League group stage in 2018. Arsenal drew at the Emirates Stadium against Sporting, before picking up a 1-0 win away in Portugal.
Arsenal's north London rivals Tottenham weakened Ruben Amorim's side in the January transfer window as Spurs brought in Pedro Porro on loan. Antonio Conte's side lost and drew against Sporting in the Champions League group stages earlier in the campaign, but the Gunners will prove to be a more difficult side to play against for the Portuguese side this time around.
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