Arsenal return to Champions League action on Tuesday night when they visit Sporting CP at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Mikel Arteta’s team strolled past Bayer Leverkusen in the last round to set up Viktor Gyokeres’ return to his former club. After an edgy 1-1 draw in Germany, the Gunners returned to North London and beat Kasper Hjulmand’s outfit courtesy of strikes from Eberechi Eze and Declan Rice.
They’re now set to take part in Gyokeres’ Lisbon homecoming, with this element of the tie potentially sparking a hostile and feisty encounter between the two legs. With a coveted semi-final place up for grabs, with Barcelona or Atletico Madrid awaiting, sparks could certainly fly in the Portuguese capital and back at the Emirates Stadium next week.
Arteta will hope this isn’t the case, and that a serene tie unfolds instead, with the Gunners set to face Manchester City at the Etihad just days after the second leg. With that said, here’s a look at UEFA’s pick for the match officials for Sporting vs Arsenal.
Arsenal reach the quarter‑finals for the third season in a row 🔴#UCL pic.twitter.com/Uy5EDsHFpW
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 17, 2026
Who is the referee for Sporting vs Arsenal?
UEFA have confirmed that German referee Daniel Siebert will be the man in charge of Arsenal’s game against Sporting.
This will be the first Gunners game Siebert has officiated so far this season, although it will be his eighth Champions League match of the campaign.
The last time Siebert took charge of an Arsenal game was just over a year ago, in January 2025, when the North Londoners eased to a 3-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb at the Emirates in a League Phase match.
Daniel Siebert’s record against Arsenal
Siebert has been a referee at the top level for several years, although he has officiated just two Arsenal matches throughout his career.
In these games, he’s handed the Gunners three yellow cards, no red cards and no penalties.
| Siebert’s record refereeing Arsenal matches | |||
| Matches | Arsenal wins | Draws | Arsenal defeats |
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Daniel Siebert’s record against Sporting
As for Sporting, Siebert has officiated three of the Lisbon club’s games, giving them seven yellow cards, no red cards and two penalties in the process.
| Siebert’s record refereeing Sporting matches | |||
| Matches | Sporting wins | Draws | Sporting defeats |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
Who are the assistant referees and VAR?
Alongside Makkelie as the referee will be his assistants, Jan Seidel, Rafael Foltyn and Bastian Dankert, with the former two running the line and the latter the fourth official.
In the VAR room, Soren Storks will oversee the game, with Daniel Schlager assisting him.
