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  "path": "/2026/04/15/arsenal-vs-sporting-predicted-lineup-today-champions-league-team-news-27974710/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-15T06:31:48.000Z",
  "site": "https://metro.co.uk",
  "tags": [
    "Football",
    "Sport",
    "Arsenal",
    "Bukayo Saka",
    "Champions League",
    "Declan Rice",
    "Kai Havertz",
    "Martin Odegaard",
    "Martin Zubimendi",
    "Mikel Arteta",
    "Sporting Lisbon",
    "Lisbon",
    "Atletico Madrid",
    "Declan Rice was absent from training on Tuesday",
    "Bournemouth",
    "has been struggling with an Achilles injury.",
    "Sign up to our daily football newsletter",
    "Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source"
  ],
  "textContent": "Rice was absent from training on Tuesday (Picture: Getty)\n\nArsenal have a number of injury concerns heading into tonight’s Champions League showdown with Sporting CP.\n\nThe Gunners were given a real test in the first leg of their quarter-final in Lisbon last week but Kai Havertz’s late goal has them in control at the halfway stage.\n\nMikel Arteta’s side are just 90 minutes from the semi-finals where Atletico Madrid await but may have to get the job done without some of his first-team stars once again.\n\nDeclan Rice was absent from training on Tuesday having played the full 90 minutes at the weekend against Bournemouth.\n\nThe England international has been almost ever-present in the starting XI this season, missing just one game through injury but is a doubt for tonight’s second leg in north London.\n\nArteta refused to disclose any details surrounding the issue when he spoke to the press yesterday, insisting Rice is doing everything he can to ensure he is available.\n\nBukayo Saka has missed Arsenal’s three games since the international break ended with Arteta revealing the winger has been struggling with an Achilles injury.\n\n##  Get personalised football updates every day\n\nSign up to our daily football newsletter and choose your team to get the latest news, rumours and more about your favourite team.\n\nSaka has been nursing an Achilles injury (Picture: Getty Images)\n\nArteta was hopeful he would return last weekend but Saka remains a doubt tonight.\n\nJurrien Timber has not played since the win over Everton a month ago due to a groin problem with Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori also absent from training on Tuesday.\n\n## Arsenal XI to face Sporting – Metro prediction\n\nIt’s difficult for Arteta – there can be no further slip-ups tonight but at the same time, he cannot afford to rush anyone back with that titanic clash with Manchester City waiting this weekend.\n\nMartin Zubimendi is among those looking jaded and in need of a breather but with Odegaard and Rice still doubts, there is little alternative.\n\nGabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz were game changers off the bench last week in Portugal which may be enough to earn them starting berths this evening.\n\n## Arsenal vs Sporting TV channel, live stream and kick-off time\n\nArsenal vs Sporting kicks off tonight (15 April) at 8pm.\n\nYou can watch the match live on TNT Sports 1 with streaming also available through the HBO Max app.\n\nComment now Comments \nAdd Metro as a Preferred Source on Google\nAdd as preferred source\n",
  "title": "Arsenal vs Sporting: Predicted lineup today and Champions League team news"
}