Kai Havertz’s stoppage-time strike proved the difference as Arsenal snatched victory at the death to put them in the driving seat of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Sporting CP.
The first leg looked destined to end goalless after Martin Zubimendi saw a beautiful curling effort chalked off by VAR, with former Sporting talisman Viktor Gyokeres caught offside in the build-up.
But after David Raya kept the Portuguese side out at the other end, Havertz stealthily slipped through the middle of Sporting’s defence to latch onto a dinked ball by Gabriel Martinelli before slipping past Rui Silva.
The result gets Arsenal back to winning ways after two dismal domestic cup outings either side of the international break, with Mikel Arteta’s side heading back to the Emirates with a lead to defend next week.
Follow all the action from the Champions League quarter-final with our live blog below
Sporting vs Arsenal live
- Arsenal leave it late to beat Sporting CP in Champions League quarter-final first leg
- 90+1' GOAL! Havertz snatches victory at the death [SPO 0-1 ARS]
- 65' NO GOAL! Zubimendi curls home but Gyokeres ruled offside in build-up [SPO 0-0 ARS]
- 15' OFF THE BAR! Madueke hits the woodwork directly from corner [SPO 0-0 ARS]
- 6' OFF THE BAR! Araujo rattles crossbar in early Arsenal scare [SPO 0-0 ARS]
Kai Havertz: Something ‘very special’ is happening at Arsenal
10:43 , Philip DuncanKai Havertz believes something “very special” is happening at Arsenal after team-mate David Raya claimed he was “100 per cent” confident the Gunners could win the Champions League.
Havertz scored a stoppage-time winner against Sporting Lisbon to hand Arsenal a major advantage in their quarter-final clash ahead of next week’s return leg at the Emirates.
Following back-to-back defeats for the first time this season, Arsenal’s campaign was on a knife edge heading into Tuesday’s fixture at the Jose Alvalade Stadium.
Kai Havertz: Something ‘very special’ is happening at Arsenal
Can Arsenal win the Champions League?
07:50 , Alan Smith"We believe 100% that we can win it,” Raya said. “We go game by game and show what we can do. I think it is the first time in so many years that we play three quarter-finals in a row.
“So we just have to focus on the present, that's the most important thing, but of course we have full belief. If you don't believe then you're never going to win it."
Arsenal's key to silverware
07:17 , Alan SmithRaya believes he has the recipe to ensure Arsenal can end their trophy wait.
"Just being ourselves,” is the key, he tells Amazon Prime. “Try to go back to what we are. We've come from two losses, learn from those moments, that pain when you lose a game.
“Use that pain in the belly to go out there and express yourself, be yourself and try to be better every single day. That's the main message we have to send out there."
Feelgood factor is back
06:55 , Miguel DelaneyAfter a week when all the talk has been about how results in other competitions are intertwined with the title challenge, and may well influence it, what will this do?
Arsenal will feel good again - and at the best time possible.
That tends to be the case with last-minute winners. There’s very little like them, and there aren’t too many that tend to be as exquisitely executed as this.
As with everything else with Arsenal right now, it's all about the end result.
A throwback performance
06:10 , Miguel DelaneyThis was actually a throwback in precisely the right way - a classic European away performance. Arsenal did a tactical number on the opposition, before taking their chance.
They couldn’t play anything close to their maximum due to all of the various issues around this season, so displayed a vintage Champions League minimalism. They also used that depth, the greater numbers.
The modern dynamics of the sport may have ensured such performances aren’t as visible any more but recent reversions may ensure they become newly important - and potentially decisive.
Corner turned?
04:20 , Alan SmithWas this Arsenal’s turning point after two difficult defeats?
"Definitely a big turnaround for us because we lost the last two matches. So we wanted to get a turnaround today and we made that happen,” Havertz said.
"We stick together as a group, we have so much more to come this season. Seven weeks to go, we can win big titles and we're going to go for that."
Martinelli finally steps up
03:30 , Miguel DelaneyThis victory came from one of their attackers finally stepping up. After a match where they had again looked to be playing within themselves, and often as if they were too intent on control to really press forward, substitute Gabriel Martinelli changed the pace and the tone.
He received the ball in the Sporting half and turned, before just going for it. There was the intent of the run and then the incision of a fine pass, playing in Havertz beautifully. The goal was all the better because of the way the German forward just fluidly continued to move, to slide it past Rui Silva.
Arteta feared a blank
02:47 , Alan SmithArsenal’s manager admitted afterwards that he was worried that a goal would not arrive.
"Yes, because when we got into the final third and we sat there we missed the final bit,” he explained. “We had to be a little bit crisper, faster, more efficient to break them down when they had that block.
“We had a goal disallowed and there were two or three occasions where we were close but we lacked that final pass. In the end a magic moment from the finishers win us the game."
Magic Martinelli
02:18 , Alan SmithHavertz made sure to praise the man who teed him up for his winner.
“Top. So much quality, that guy. As a striker, attacking midfielder you always wait for these moments. and he made it so well so credit to Martinelli. For most of the time we controlled the game. Football is made of moments like this. We overall played a very good game.”
More Raya praise
01:15 , Alan SmithArteta, speaking to Amazon, also offered a ringing endorsement for his No. 1.
"He had two moments where he made two big saves. And that's the Champions League, the Champions League is always decided in the boxes and because there's so much quality here."
"At the moment he's phenomenal and extraordinary since he joined us. We are very lucky to have him."
Can Arsenal win it?
01:10 , Alan Smith"We believe 100% that we can win it,” Raya said. “We go game by game and show what we can do. I think it is the first time in so many years that we play three quarter-finals in a row.
“So we just have to focus on the present, that's the most important thing, but of course we have full belief. If you don't believe then you're never going to win it."
Raya's streak
Wednesday 8 April 2026 00:22 , Alan SmithThis was a seventh clean sheet in the Champions League this season for Raya, who told Amazon Prime: "That's something we've worked on a lot. It's so important for us, those clean sheets make it easier to win games. It showed tonight, scoring in the last minute and keeping that clean sheet decides those type of games."
Who else could it have been?
Tuesday 7 April 2026 23:42 , Will CastleDavid Raya rightly collects his POTM award after a super display between the sticks.
In safe hands 🤲
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) April 7, 2026
David secures POTM 🏅 pic.twitter.com/AHcyHFM3D5
Arsenal get it done in Lisbon
Tuesday 7 April 2026 23:21 , Will Castle
Raya the world's best?
Tuesday 7 April 2026 23:00 , Alan SmithHavertz says of the player of the match: "Unbelievable. I think still underestimated in the world of football but for me, the last two seasons, the best keeper in the world. He's outstanding, he's saved us so many times and we're very glad to have him."
Timely relief
Tuesday 7 April 2026 22:50 , Miguel DelaneyArsenal do what is required, and the jubilant question now is whether it is also what they really need.
They don’t just have a 1-0 win away to Sporting in this Champions League quarter-final first leg, that puts them on the brink of a second successive semi-final.
They just have a win again, a good feeling. You could see it in the joy of the players after Kai Havertz’s finely taken goal. You could see it in the relief of more superb David Raya saves.
Report: Arsenal stars laud ‘best in world’ Raya after late show at Sporting
Tuesday 7 April 2026 22:46 , Miguel Delaney at the Estadio Jose AlvaladeHere’s Miguel Delaney’s report from the Estadio Jose Alvalade as Arsenal leave it late to seize the advantage in their Champions League quarter-final tie with Sporting:
Arsenal do no more than is required to eke past Sporting and one question remains
Arteta: It's only half-time
Tuesday 7 April 2026 22:30 , Alan Smith“I talk about identity and other things that define this team and I definitely saw that tonight,” he tells Amazon Prime. “It is half-time. We have to finish this in front of our people. And then we can dream.”
Arteta's 'finishers'
Tuesday 7 April 2026 22:18 , Alan SmithArteta, speaking to Prime, says of his subs: “A magic moment from the finishers, the winners again. Beautiful. That’s the impact you need and they certainly did that tonight.”
Havertz: A lot more to do
Tuesday 7 April 2026 22:05 , Alan Smith“To score a late goal is always nice,” Havertz tells Amazon Prime after his matchwinning moment. “We take that result. Still a lot of work to do next week.”
FULL-TIME! Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:56 , Alan SmithAnd that is a rather fine win for Mikel Arteta’s side against a team that had last been defeated at home in August. The bench depth makes a difference on a night of few chances and plenty of patient build-up play.
Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:54 , Alan Smith90+2’: Sporting try to push forward in the dying seconds but Arsenal are back and in an impenetrable shape as Braganca has a half-chance blocked.
GOAL! Sporting 0-1 Arsenal (Havertz)
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:52 , Alan Smith90+1’: And in the first of two added minutes, Havertz appears to have won it!
It’s a beautiful goal. Martinelli cuts in from the left and lofts a pass through to Havertz. He controls with his right, shifts it on to his left and finishes fluidly.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:50 , Alan Smith89’: This one is petering out.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:50 , Alan Smith87’: Raya does another solid job in denying Suarez from a scramble.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:47 , Alan Smith86’: Martinelli has a pot shot that dips threateningly but Silva does quite well to smother.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:45 , Alan Smith83’: Great save Raya! Catamo meets a Suarez cross with a diving header but the Arsenal goalkeeper does well to keep his sheet clean.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:43 , Alan Smith81’: It’s all so scrappy.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:40 , Alan Smith77’: Gatamo shoots through the legs of Calafiori but into the side netting and that prompts Borges to replace Goncalves with Nel.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:37 , Alan Smith76’: Two more Arsenal changes as Dowman and Martinelli come on for Madueke and Trossard. The latter appears to be hobbling and pointing to his left calf.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:36 , Alan Smith74’: Madueke drills across the face of goal. It’s too quick for Gyokeres to reach but Trossard is a whisker away from meeting the ball at the back post. Sporting, it has to be said, are not quite chasing a goal determinedly either - perhaps they are also content-ish with being level going to north London next week.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:32 , Alan Smith71’: Odegaard’s evening is over. Havertz is on in his stead.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:31 , Alan Smith68’: Arsenal are now on top and looking more likely to score a goal.
Zubimendi goal ruled out! Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:26 , Alan Smith64’: Arsenal think they are ahead through Zubimendi’s fine finish - except Gyokeres, who provided a neat assist, is correctly ruled offside following a VAR check. He was well off when Saliba played a pass towards him.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:24 , Alan Smith62’: Sporting’s first sub sees Braganca replace Simoes.
Odegaard is currently receiving some treatment but should be fine to continue.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:20 , Alan Smith58’: Calafiori makes a fine challenge on Catamo but concedes a corner that amounts to little of note beyond a free out for some pushing and shoving.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:18 , Alan Smith56’: It sounds like the Sporting fans are becoming increasingly upset by Arsenal’s lack of hurry when it comes to restarting play. But they do have a chance just now as Araujo finds Trincao, whose shot is scuffed across goal and wide.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:16 , Alan Smith54’: Odegaard’s free-kick is turned over the bar for a corner. Madueke’s delivery is headed on to the roof of the net by Trincao. Madueke’s second corner is cleared, allowing Sporting to break. Except Raya is alert and is almost on halfway to head danger away.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:14 , Alan Smith51’: Arsenal will be happy with the draw here because the Emirates factor will make them huge favourites for the second leg. But they are, slowly, beginning to show a bit more attacking intent here as Madueke is tripped by Araujo, whose attacking impact is being negated by his defensive slackness.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:11 , Alan Smith50’: Trossard cuts in from the left wing and shoots harmlessly wide.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:08 , Alan Smith47’: Within a minute Sporting win a corner off White. It’s cleared.
Restarted! Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:07 , Alan Smith46’: The hosts get us back underway.
Arteta content
Tuesday 7 April 2026 21:06 , Miguel DelaneyA classic "tactical" game so far, which is in-keeping with a few Arsenal displays this season. They'll be content with that, even if few watching on will be. For Mikel Arteta, this is about getting back home with a solid result - as was the case with the first leg against Bayer Leverkusen - but also just stabilising after two successive defeats. There were times when they stabilised too much. One of the most colourful aspects of the half was the fury of the Sporting supporters from the amount of time Arsenal took on set-pieces. One did see Noni Madueke hit the bar, to match Maximiliano Araujo's thunderbolt at the other end. David Raya did get a finger tip to that. Outside those opportunities, though, there hasn't been much to this.
HALF-TIME! Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:49 , Alan Smith45’: No added time at the end of an uneventful half.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:47 , Alan Smith42’: Odegaard has a go from range. It’s easily saved but at least it’s a shot on target. This is becoming an increasingly difficult watch.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:43 , Alan Smith39’: Sporting probe a bit before finally running out of patience as Diomande, on his left, fires high and wide. The rain is beginning to fall again.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:38 , Alan Smith35’: Or maybe it was not a yellow for Suarez. Because the suggestion on the broadcast is that the graphic was produced by mistake.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:36 , Alan Smith33’: Now Suarez is booked, ruling him out of the second leg, though no one is quite sure of what his offence was. Calafiori, meanwhile, has just been penalised for a foul throw.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:35 , Alan Smith30’: Morita becomes the first player to be shown a yellow card for a two-footed slide on White. He wins the ball but the trailing leg collides with White, making it an obvious foul in 2026 but almost certainly play on if it was 1996.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:32 , Alan Smith27’: Madueke runs at Araujo again and this time he wins a corner kick. Again the big men are up. Again Madueke’s delivery bends inwards but White is penalised for a push and a free out is given.
This, save for the crossbar being struck, has not been a great watch for the neutral.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:28 , Alan Smith24’: Another lengthy period of patient passing. This time from Sporting, who eventually give it away to Madueke, who wants a foul off Araujo after taking far too long to put a cross in. It’s a goal kick instead.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:24 , Alan Smith19’: After a brief lull, Arsenal win a deep free kick on the right. Ordinarily it’s not an area teams would consider massively threatening but Arsenal are sending all the big men up and Rice is about to take.
In the end he plays it short and in-field, the move amounts to nought, though they do get to reset when Sporting clear straight to a blue shirt.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:18 , Alan Smith15’: Madueke’s inswinger comes off the bar with the Sporting goalkeeper all at sea! Odegaard then follows up to drag the rebound wide.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:17 , Alan Smith14’: Odegaard’s inswinging delivery is met by a combination of Zubimendi and Gyokeres but it is then diverted out for a corner, via Diomande, that Madueke will jog across to take.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:16 , Alan Smith13’: Another long spell of away possession as Sporting retreat happily before Araujo trips Madueke, gifting Arsenal a set piece two yards right of the penalty area.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:14 , Alan Smith10’: Arsenal now look to calm things down a bit with a spell of possession that is going nowhere in particular ... until White feeds Madueke down the right. He works it in to Gyokeres, who tries to hold the ball up but lacks any support and is dispossessed.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:12 , Alan Smith8’: Araujo goes close again, this time from distance after a free kick is blocked towards his path. It’s about a yard over Raya’s bar but another warning shot.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:10 , Alan Smith6’: Maybe not. Diomande plays a stunning through ball that splits the home defence, allowing Araujo, up from left back, to get past White’s limp enough challenge before firing a shot that rattles the crossbar.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:08 , Alan Smith5’: Now Arsenal pass it about calmly with nothing resembling a press from their opponents. Let’s hope this tepid opening is not a sign of what is to come.
Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:06 , Alan Smith2’ : Saliba is penalised for getting a bit too physical with Suarez near halfway and the hosts proceed to pass it about neatly but without much to bother Arsenal’s defence.
Kick off: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:04 , Alan SmithAfter a minor delay, we’re underway, Arsenal kicking off, playing from left to right as we view.
Almost ready
Tuesday 7 April 2026 20:02 , Alan SmithThe teams are out, the formalities are being formalised and we’re moments away from kick off. Sporting wear their normal green and white hooped home strips, Arsenal are in their blue change kits.
Rice is ready
Tuesday 7 April 2026 19:52 , Alan SmithPassed fit after missing the weekend defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup, Declan Rice is raring to go in Lisbon.
Arteta speaks
Tuesday 7 April 2026 19:50 , Alan SmithThe Arsenal manager says Gyokeres will greatly appreciate playing at this stage of the competition.
"Obviously, he's full of gratitude for his time here,” he said of the striker’s spell at Sporting. “The way he talks about the club, the players, the staff, everybody around the club. The experience that he had, how important that part of his journey in Sporting has been.
“And now it's Arsenal, it's a quarter-final of the Champions League, he's never played at this level in the competition and obviously you can imagine what it means to him. “
Borges speaks
Tuesday 7 April 2026 19:48 , Alan SmithSporting’s Rui Borges has been talking to Sport TV.
“They’re good, but so are we.,” he says. “There are only three teams better than us at set-pieces: Arsenal, Dortmund and Inter. It’s about believing in what we do, we’ve been competent. We won’t stray too far from what we’ve been doing.”
Sporting boss hopes Viktor Gyokeres will avoid boos on return with Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 19:44 , Will CastleHead coach Rui Borges hopes Viktor Gyokeres will not be targeted by the Sporting Lisbon boo brigade tonight on his return to the Portuguese club.
It is anticipated Gyokeres, 27, will receive a hostile reception on his comeback, but Borges said: "He is a great player, and I am sure he will be welcomed by everyone because he marked the history of Sporting, and he deserves this acknowledgement.
"I always try to be balanced, and I try to understand everyone. He had the ambition, and after talking to the management, they came to an understanding so ultimately everything that happened was correct for both sides; both Sporting and the player got what they wanted. He wanted to take that step in his career and we respect that.
"Players will change, but the club stays the same, and Sporting will go on winning. I wish him (Gyokeres) all the best and I am sure he will be very welcome here because the admiration we have for him is great."
Real v Bayern
Tuesday 7 April 2026 19:33 , Alan SmithLive coverage of tonight’s other quarter-final, between Trent and Jude’s Real and Kane’s Bayern, can be read right here.
Gyokeres love
Tuesday 7 April 2026 19:20 , Alan SmithThe rain is beginning to fall heavily in Lisbon where Alan Shearer, under a large umbrella, is currently dissecting Gyokeres’ recent uptick in form. “Don’t be surprised again if he hits the back of the net tonight,” the former Newcastle man says.
Arsenal arrive at the Estadio Jose Alvalade
Tuesday 7 April 2026 19:17 , Will Castle
Sporting XI - confirmed
Tuesday 7 April 2026 18:57 , Alan SmithHere is how the hosts will line-up.
Sporting XI: Silva; Fresneda, Diomande, Inacio, Araujo; Morita, Simoes; Catamo, Trincao, Goncalves; Suarez.
Gyokeres return
Tuesday 7 April 2026 18:49 , Alan SmithGoing off the TV images, Viktor Gyokeres appears to have received a warm welcome from the handful of Sporting fans who have made their way into the ground very early.
Arsenal XI - confirmed
Tuesday 7 April 2026 18:45 , Alan SmithThis is the team named by Mikel Arteta this evening.
Arsenal XI: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard.
One in 11
Tuesday 7 April 2026 18:37 , Alan SmithAnd to stack the odds against Sporting further, Arsenal have lost only one of their past 11 European matches against Portuguese teams, winning five.
Advantage Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 18:29 , Alan SmithAccording to Uefa, English clubs have won the past ten Champions League two-legged ties against Portuguese opposition and the last nine European Cup/Champions League quarter-final meetings, while Sporting have won only two of their past 13 UEFA matches against English opposition.
Sporting weakness
Tuesday 7 April 2026 18:15 , Miguel DelaneySporting could have imploded after the departure of Ruben Amorim, who revitalised the club. Replacement Rui Borges instead kept it going to win the title, while adding even more angles to attack.
Sporting are now viewed as a more varied team, given how Amorim’s champions were more intense in a singular way.
That may also be one reason why Sporting have been seen as “fragile” in big games – especially against Porto, Benfica and Braga, where they have struggled against solid teams. There are few as solid as Arsenal, and few games as big as a Champions League quarter-final.
Sporting are only the fourth Portuguese club to get to this stage in a decade, while Porto’s 2003-04 victory is the only time any of them have got further than the last eight since 1994. This tie itself is only Sporting’s second appearance at the stage, after the 1982-83 defeat to Real Sociedad – their European record remains so much poorer than the double champions at Benfica and Porto.
Arteta's priorities
Tuesday 7 April 2026 18:08 , Miguel DelaneyThe Champions League now suddenly occupies a strange place in Arsenal’s season.
This most prestigious of club competitions is known to be one that Arteta really wants, since his greatest ambition is to be the manager who finally brings that grandiose trophy to Arsenal.
"It doesn't get bigger than this," he said in Lisbon. There is yet the possibility that Arteta does a version of what Liverpool managed in 2018-19, and wins the Champions League after faltering in the Premier League.
Arsenal feel the pain of back-to-back defeats but will not panic
Tuesday 7 April 2026 18:00 , Mike JonesMikel Arteta insisted he is not pressing the panic button as he vowed to banish the “pain” of two consecutive defeats which have left Arsenal’s season sitting on a knife edge.
Arsenal arrive in Portugal for the opening leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon on Tuesday night following a shock last-eight FA Cup exit at Southampton which arrived off the back of their Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.
Mikel Arteta: Arsenal feel the pain of back-to-back defeats but will not panic
Araujo on Gyokeres
Tuesday 7 April 2026 17:52 , Mike JonesViktor Gyokeres makes a return to the Estadio Jose Alvalade having joined Arsenal from Sporting and former teammate Araujo holds no bad blood.
"The whole group was happy for him [when he moved],” said the Sporting midfielder.
“I think he did some very good things [for Sporting]. This year at Arsenal I think he's also doing very well, he's scoring a lot of goals, and he also secured qualification for the World Cup with his national team.
“I wish him all the best."
It's going to be a great tie
Tuesday 7 April 2026 17:45 , Mike JonesSporting CP defender Maximiliano Araujo said: "We know it's going to be very difficult but we're prepared and we're in a good moment. I believe it's going to be a great tie."
Rui Borges added: "We are two great teams. There are no favourites at this stage of the Champions League."
Arsenal's great run
Tuesday 7 April 2026 17:37 , Mike JonesHaving not featured in the Champions League proper between 2016/17 and 2023/24, Arsenal are making their third successive appearance.
The Gunners reached the semi-finals last season – their best run in the competition since 2008/09 – before a 1-3 aggregate defeat by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Sporting's Champions League history
Tuesday 7 April 2026 17:30 , Mike JonesSporting are making their 12th appearance in the Champions League proper, and a fourth in five seasons.
Sporting were 23rd in last season's league phase, bowing out against Borussia Dortmund in the knockout phase play-offs.
This year they finished seventh and moved straight into the last-16.
Arsenal handed huge injury boost ahead of Sporting Lisbon trip
Tuesday 7 April 2026 17:22 , Mike JonesDeclan Rice has handed Arsenal a significant injury boost for the opening leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon.
The England international, who was absent for his side’s shock FA Cup demise at Southampton, joined his team-mates in training at the club’s London Colney headquarters on Monday before travelling with the squad.
Arsenal handed huge injury boost ahead of Sporting Lisbon trip
England vs Portugal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 17:15 , Mike JonesEnglish clubs have won the last ten two-legged Champions League ties against Portuguese opposition, since Benfica's 3-0 aggregate victory against holders Liverpool in the 2005/06 round of 16.
This is the tenth European Cup quarter final involving English and Portuguese clubs; English sides have won all the previous nine.
A knockout to remember
Tuesday 7 April 2026 17:08 , Mike JonesSporting triumphed in the only knockout contest between these teams.
They won 5-3 on penalties after a 3-3 aggregate draw in the 2022/23 Europa League round of 16.
The energy of the stadium will be important
Tuesday 7 April 2026 17:00 , Mike JonesSporting CP coach, Rui Borges, said: "We want to make our dreams reality and continue to make history for this great club.
“The energy of our stadium and our fans will be very important in creating a magical night. We can do something extraordinary with that."
How do the Arsenal players feel about Arteta?
Tuesday 7 April 2026 16:54 , Mike JonesThere are some murmurings that Mikel Arteta’s job may be at risk if Arsenal fail to won silverware this year but the job of the manager is more than just winning trophies.
"He's been top,” says Noni Madueke when asked about his head coach.
“Very intense, very particular as well.
“I feel like he’s helped me in certain aspects in terms of being a bit more structured in my play, but has also let me be me.
“So, yeah, I think it’s been great so far."
Mikel Arteta, forcing his coolness, is feeling the burden of Arsenal’s now-failed quadruple bid
Tuesday 7 April 2026 16:45 , Miguel DelaneyFor moments like Saturday’s surprise FA Cup defeat to Southampton, Mikel Arteta now has a set process. The Basque has even been witnessed privately forcing a changed facial expression before speaking to media or his players, to radiate a desired mood.
Arsenal’s many critics would quip he’s had to get used to such moments.
It is precisely because of such noise around the club, however, that Arteta seeks to immediately shape the responses. He knows criticism will already be scathing and any mockery will be, well, quadrupled, so there’s little need to make his players further dwell on that.
How Arteta is feeling the burden of Arsenal’s now-failed quadruple bid
Sporting v Arsenal
Tuesday 7 April 2026 16:37 , Mike JonesArsenal are unbeaten in their five fixtures against Sporting (two wins, three draws), most recently winning 5-1 in Portugal on Matchday 5 last season.
Gabriel Martinelli, Kai Havertz, Gabriel, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard scored for the visitors, Goncalo Inácio getting Sporting's sole reply.
Arsenal's great start
Tuesday 7 April 2026 16:30 , Mike JonesArsenal won all eight games in the league phase – the first team to achieve the feat under the new format.
They then beat Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 (3-1 on aggregate).
Sporting's route to last eight
Tuesday 7 April 2026 16:22 , Mike JonesSporting reached the European Cup quarter-finals for only the second time with a memorable round of 16 comeback against Bodø/Glimt, overturning a 3-0 first-leg loss in Norway with a 5-0 extra-time victory in Lisbon.
Sporting had finished seventh in the league phase to progress to the round of 16 for the third time.
What has Mikel Arteta said?
Tuesday 7 April 2026 16:14 , Mike JonesFollowing the defeat to Southampton in the FA Cup, the Arsenal manager explained how his team are going through a difficult period but will remain focused for the run-in to the end of the season.
“Really disappointed in the manner that we lost the opportunity to get back to Wembley,” said Arteta. “Someone has to take responsibility. That’s me and we have the most beautiful period of the season ahead of us.
“This is the first moment that we have with a certain level of difficulty. We’re going to say difficulty when we’re going to play the Champions League quarter-finals and the run-up for the league.
“If this is a difficult period, I believe there are many other ones that are much more difficult, so let’s stand up, make yourself comfortable and deliver like we’ve been doing all season.”
Mikel Arteta takes responsibility for Arsenal’s shock FA Cup exit
Tuesday 7 April 2026 16:07 , Mike JonesMikel Arteta took responsibility for Arsenal’s meek FA Cup quarter-final exit at Southampton as the Premier League leaders blew a glorious chance to return to Wembley.
A fortnight on from the disappointing Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City, the absentee-hit Gunners lost to Championship opposition at a rocking St Mary’s on Saturday evening.
Mikel Arteta takes responsibility for Arsenal’s shock FA Cup exit to Southampton
Arsenal chasing connection with fans
Tuesday 7 April 2026 16:00 , Mike JonesMadueke also spoke about the connection Arsenal’s players have with the fans and how he and his teammates are always chasing they feeling they get from the supporters when playing at home.
Madueke said: “When you're playing at home, you can kind of feel that you’ve got the crowd [with you] and they’re waiting on the next thing you do.
“It’s an amazing feeling. It’s something that you can’t really explain, and it’s something that you’re always chasing."
Madueke on staying motivated
Tuesday 7 April 2026 15:52 , Mike JonesMore from the Arsenal winger who explained how he keeps himself motivated.
"My motivation, for sure, is to bring joy to the people I’m around, whether that’s with the ball at my feet or just in my life,” he said.
“My friends, my family, my team-mates, the people that come to the stadium or watch, people at home watching, everyone I can, you know?
“If you could touch them with something as simple as playing with a football, that’s something really special."
Arsenal need to 'manifest' winning trophies
Tuesday 7 April 2026 15:45 , Mike JonesAfter Arsenal were dumped out of two cup competitions in as many games, Noni Madueke is calling on his teammates to ‘manifest’ the things they want to achieve.
He told Uefa: "I feel like the greatest athletes of all time have a little bit of delusion because you need to believe it before it manifests.
“If you believe that you can be the best even before it's your reality, you give yourself the opportunity.
“When you step on the pitch, you have to believe that in any game, in any context, versus any opponent, you can make the difference."
Mikel Arteta rues ‘defending errors’ as Arsenal dumped out of FA Cup
Tuesday 7 April 2026 15:37 , Mike JonesMikel Arteta rued Arsenal’s ‘defending errors’ as his team suffered consecutive defeats for the first time this season and were dumped out of the FA Cup thanks to a 2-1 loss at Southampton.
Super sub Shea Charles fired the Saints to Wembley as Tonda Eckert’s Championship side stunned the Premier League leaders Arsenal in a famous FA Cup quarter-final victory.
Arteta rues ‘defending errors’ as Arsenal’s loss to Saints dumps them out of FA Cup
Arsenal early team news
Tuesday 7 April 2026 15:30 , Mike JonesFor Arsenal, Gabriel was taken off during the defeat to Southampton with an injury knock and might not be fit to feature. Other doubts are Declan Rice, Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard and Jurrien Timber but there is more hope that each will be fit enough to return. Definitely out are Eberechi Eze, Piero Hincapie and Mikel Merino who continue their recoveries from injury.
Predicted Arsenal XI: Raya; Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Rice, Zubimendi, Odegaard; Saka, Gyokeres, Trossard
Sporting early team news
Tuesday 7 April 2026 15:22 , Mike JonesLuis Suarez is set to return to Sporting’s startin XI having missed their previous Champions League outing due to suspension. The hosts are without Fotis Ioannidis, Geovany Quenda and Nuno Santos, while Luis Guilherme is also a doubt due to an ankle problem. Captain Morten Hjulmand is suspended for this clash and will miss the first leg.
Predicted Sporting XI: Silva; Vagiannidis, Diomande, Inacio, Mangas; Braganca, Morita; Catamo, Trincao, Goncalves; Suarez
How can I watch it?
Tuesday 7 April 2026 15:15 , Mike JonesThe match will be broadcast on Amazon Prime Video with coverage beginning at 6.30pm. If you're not an Amazon Prime Video subscriber you can start a free 30-day trial here.
When is Sporting v Arsenal?
Tuesday 7 April 2026 15:08 , Mike JonesThe Champions League first leg between Sporting and Arsenal is at 8pm BST on Tuesday 7 April at the Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon, Portugal.
Click here to read the full blog on The Independent's website
