Arsenal get their European campaign back under way and it arrives at perhaps the perfect time. Although momentum in the league is good after four back-to-back victories, the emotion of the Bournemouth drama can simmer somewhat with this Europa League distraction before a testing trip at the weekend to Craven Cottage and Fulham.
The Europa League gives Mikel Arteta the opportunity to use some of his less-utilised players and could potentially even give some debuts to senior and youth stars. Reuell Walters and Mauro Bandeira were amongst the youngsters to get a call-up to first-team training before the flight to Portugal.
Jakub Kiwior is also in with the chance of getting his first minutes in an Arsenal shirt at senior level having only played in an under-21s game so far. Arteta does however have to contend with a number of absences which will limit rotation, particularly at left-back and in the forward line.
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Getting the job done in the first leg is always a great way to ease into the quarter-finals, especially with the second leg being at home. Mikel Arteta needs therefore to pick a side strong enough to get the job done whilst also allowing for some rest ahead of the weekend and luckily the football.london writers are on hand to offer their views on who they would opt for this evening.
Tom Canton – Arsenal writer
The injury issues have suddenly snuck up on the Gunners in the past week with both Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah suddenly unavailable. Made worse by the fact Kieran Tierney is unwell and will also miss the trip.
In defence this has complicated things somewhat with the obvious candidate to provide some rest to Oleksandr Zinchenko now unavailable, Takehiro Tomiyasu should come in to ensure the Ukrainian is given some recovery time. Ben White did not start against Bournemouth and so should not have too much of an issue starting two games in four days.
Jakub Kiwior can earn his first minutes for the club after being very patient since arriving from Spezia in January with Matt Turner making his way into the starting line-up again. Jorginho rotates with Thomas Partey but the midfield remains the first choice to help get the job done in Lisbon.
Similar to the forward line as well then with Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli both starting like they did at Oxford United in the FA Cup with options limited then. The only change is Bournemouth hero Reiss Nelson makes his first competitive start since the League Cup defeat to Brighton.
Canton’s Arsenal XI vs Sporting CP: Turner; White, Saliba, Kiwior, Tomiyasu; Jorginho, Xhaka, Odegaard; Saka, Martinelli, Nelson
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne - Arsenal writer
If Thursday doesn't provide Mikel Arteta with the ideal opportunity to freshen up this Arsenal side, then I don't know what will. However, with Kieran Tierney, Leandro Trossard and Eddie Nketiah not making the trip, it does mean a few of the Premier League regulars have to start.
Even so, I'd still opt to rest Oleksandr Zinchenko which means January signing Jakub Kiwior being handed a start at left-back - a position he has played in previously - with Takehiro Tomiyasu, Rob Holding and Gabriel Magalhaes lining up in front of the recalled Matt Turner.
In midfield, I'd be looking to rest Martin Odegaard and Thomas Partey, but this is exactly the kind of game Jorginho has been signed for whilst Granit Xhaka can return to the starting line-up and Fabio Vieira stays in, hopefully, to show what he's all about on home soil.
The attack is where I can sympathise with Arteta as he is short of options. But it's too soon for Gabriel Jesus to return to action so Gabriel Martinelli can lead the line, flanked by Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson who is rewarded for his brilliant impact against the Cherries.
Deniran-Alleyne's Arsenal XI vs Sporting CP: Turner; Tomiyasu, Holding, Gabriel, Kiwior; Jorginho, Fabio Vieira, Xhaka; Smith Rowe, Martinelli, Nelson
Kaya Kaynak - Chief Arsenal writer
If I were Mikel Arteta I'd look to make as many changes as possible. It's not just that the Premier League is the priority, but rather that the back up players deserve a chance or you risk losing them.
That means Matt Turner comes in in goal after his improvements across his time at the club. In front of him I'm playing Takehiro Tomiyasu at left back and giving Ben White a start at right back in Kieran Tierney's absence. It's just not worth risking Alex Zinchenko as far as I'm concerned.
At centre back I'm going for Jakub Kiwior and Rob Holding. Arteta hasn't shown much of an inclination to rotate at the back, but if you need to rely on those guys at some point in the season then it makes far more sense to have tried them out now then later on.
Jorginho has to start for me at the base of the midfield, and after not starting at the weekend I'd look to go for Granit Xhaka at left eight. Fabio Vieira meanwhile starts for me on the right.
Up top I'm taking a bit of a risk and going for Reiss Nelson and Emile Smith Rowe, with the former on the right. Gabriel Martinelli has to start up front meanwhile so I'm going for him.
Kaynak's Arsenal XI vs Sporting CP: Turner; White, Holding, Kiwior, Tomiyasu; Jorginho, Xhaka, Vieira; Nelson, Martinelli, Smith Rowe.
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