Arsenal are looking to overcome Sporting to secure a berth in the Champions League semifinals.
The Gunners have a 1-0 lead from the first leg, thanks to Kai Havertz’s late goal from the trip to Portugal last week.
Sporting travel to the Emirates to face Arsenal in the return leg on Wednesday.
On Monday, Sport Witness covered claims from Portugal that Sporting duo Iván Fresneda and João Simões are doubtful for the European clash.
Sporting absentees to face Arsenal
Rui Borges, the Lions manager, has a few concerns for the key clash against Arsenal this midweek.
Record in Portugal now cover the latest on Iván Fresneda and also provides fresh update on his teammate, Zeno Debast.
Fresneda played the full 90 minutes while the 22-year-old centre-back was an unused substitute in the first leg.
Borges and his side have ‘bad news’ as both the 21-year-old Spaniard and Debast were not with the rest of the group.
Sporting have their last training session today in Alvalade before the trip to the English capital. The two players weren’t present, and the manager called up 18-year-old fullback Salvador Blopa.
There’s no mention as to why the two players missed today’s training session or if they will miss tomorrow’s clash.
A Bola now provides more updates on Fresneda’s absence. Last weekend, the right-back started in his side’s 1-0 league win over Estrela Amadora and was replaced after the break.
That’s because of a complaint over his fitness and he received treatment during the half time break.
This could be the reason why he didn’t train with the rest of the group and the newspaper state he won’t travel with the squad to London.
Overcoming Sporting key for Arsenal
Prior to the international break, Mikel Arteta’s side lost the EFL Cup final to Manchester City at Wembley.
After the break, Southampton knocked out Arsenal from the FA Cup and the Gunners lost to AFC Bournemouth in the league at the weekend.
The north London club have lost three of their last four matches. A win over Sporting can help them make it to the last four of the Champions League.