Europa League

[monks data]

Europa League | Round of 16 | 1st Leg

Mar 9, 2023 at 5.45pm UK

Estádio José Alvalade

Sporting Lisbon
2 - 2
Arsenal

(agg: -)

Inacio (34'), Paulinho (55')
Coates (22'), Morita (58')

FT(HT: 1-1)

Saliba (22'), Morita (62' og.)
Zinchenko (23'), Martinelli (43')

Arsenal team news: Injury, suspension list vs. Sporting Lisbon

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 06 March 2023

Sports Mole rounds up all of Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of Thursday's Europa League last-16 first leg with Sporting Lisbon.

Arsenal resume their quest for an elusive piece of continental silverware when they take on Sporting Lisbon in the first leg of their Europa League last-16 battle on Thursday night.

Mikel Arteta's men bypassed the playoff stage by finishing top of Group A, seeing off the threat of PSV Eindhoven, Bodo/Glimt and FC Zurich to collect 15 points from their six games.

The Gunners enter Thursday's showdown on the back of a pulsating 3-2 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League, recovering from a two-goal deficit to remain five points clear of Manchester City at the summit.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up Arsenal's latest injury and suspension news ahead of their clash with Sporting, who defeated Midtjylland 5-1 on aggregate in the knockout round playoffs after dropping down from the Champions League.

Gabriel Jesus

Gabriel Jesus in action for Arsenal on October 6, 2022 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: March 19 (vs. Crystal Palace)

Gabriel Jesus is inching ever closer to a return from knee surgery and is now working with the ball at his feet in training, but it is still expected to be another couple of weeks before he can make his first-team return.

Mohamed Elneny

Mohamed Elneny celebrates scoring for Arsenal against Oxford United on January 9, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Out
Type of injury: Knee
Possible return date: Unknown

In contrast, Mohamed Elneny's knee operation is likely to keep him out for the remainder of the season, but he has nevertheless been rewarded with a new one-year contract at the Emirates.

Eddie Nketiah

Arsenal's Eddie Nketiah celebrates scoring against Manchester United on January 22, 2023 © Reuters

Status: Major doubt
Type of injury: Ankle
Possible return date: March 9 (vs. Sporting)

Eddie Nketiah has been dealing with a knock to the ankle for the past couple of weeks and was not available for the clash with Bournemouth, but the striker should be in with a chance of making the trip to Portugal.

Leandro Trossard

Status: Out
Type of injury: Groin
Possible return date: Unknown

January signing Leandro Trossard, who has made an immediate impact in the first team, was withdrawn in the first half against Bournemouth due to a groin problem, although it is still unclear how severe the Belgian's problem is.