Arsenal have the opportunity to progress to the Champions League semi-final stage for the second consecutive season for the first time in their history when they take on Sporting CP at the Emirates on Tuesday.
The Gunners hold a slender one-goal lead from the first leg, after snatching the win in Lisbon courtesy of a composed late finish from Kai Havertz. Mikel Arteta’s side were unspectacular but effective at the Jose Alvalade Stadium, and will be confident that they can overcome the Portuguese giants on their own turf.
Effective certainly isn’t a word that can be used to describe Arsenal’s disastrous display at home to Bournemouth on Saturday. The Gunners were diabolical against the Cherries, and this defeat has had significant ramifications on the Premier League title race.
Manchester City, who have a game in hand, are now only three points behind the North Londoners, and the two sides meet at the Etihad this Sunday.
Sporting will be Arteta’s priority, however, and Rui Borges’ side will certainly be buoyed after watching how easily Bournemouth were able to neutralise Arsenal.
With that said, here are the key battles that we believe could be pivotal in dictating the outcome of the game at the Emirates.
Noni Madueke vs Maxi Aruajo
Maxi Aruajo made a name for himself in the first leg last week. The full-back became the first defender over the last nine seasons to commit seven fouls or more and avoid receiving a yellow card in the Champions League.
He cynically dealt with Noni Madueke and then Max Dowman, while he was a threat going forward, with his late lung-bursting runs into the final third providing Sporting with an extra man in the attack.
Bukayo Saka is likely to miss Tuesday’s game, and thus, Madueke will be up against Araujo once again. The outcome of this one-on-one battle could determine whether Arsenal are able to open up a stubborn Sporting defence.
🤷 | Getting away with it is an art
— Sofascore Football (@Sofascore) April 7, 2026
Maximiliano Araújo has tonight become the first defender to commit 7+ fouls and avoid receiving a yellow card in a #UCL match over the last nine seasons 🤯
You can't say he didn't have a plan for keeping Noni Madueke and Max Dowman at bay 😅 pic.twitter.com/BAFyJ6wuxd
Eberechi Eze vs Morten Hjulmand
Arsenal missed Eberechi Eze’s inventive final third play and grace on the ball in Lisbon. However, they’ll have their £68 million summer signing back and raring to go for the second leg.
On the flip side, Sporting will have captain Morten Hjulmand back after the Dane missed the first leg through suspension. Hjulmand is not only a talented passer, but his ability to screen Sporting’s back four is pivotal to Borges’ team’s defensive structure.
Thus, it’ll be the Sporting skipper’s job to closely track Eze’s movement and to stop the Arsenal man from producing a match-winning moment of magic.
Martin Zubimendi vs Trincao
Martin Zubimendi has come under significant scrutiny for his performances in recent weeks. The Spaniard has looked notably fatigued, while he also appears to be suffering from a crisis of confidence.
With Declan Rice potentially set to miss this game due to injury, Zubimendi will be under significant pressure to carry Arsenal’s midfield. This task will be made more difficult by Trincao, Sporting’s tricky number ten, who has contributed to 27 goals across all competitions this season.
Like Eze, the Portuguese attacking midfielder is Borges’ match-winner, and it’ll be up to Zubimendi to negate the 26-year-old’s threat.
