At a Glance:
Mikel Arteta should change one of his Arsenal star’s position against Sporting CP.
The Arsenal man has struggled for form this season.
Mikel Arteta could start the Gunners ace in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
All eyes will be on Mikel Arteta’s team selection and tactical plan during Arsenal’s upcoming showdown against Sporting CP in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final.
With the Gunners tasting defeat in the Carabao Cup final, the FA Cup quarter-final and against AFC Bournemouth recently, Arteta will be desperate to lead his side to the Champions League semi-final.
Atletico Madrid await Arsenal after defeating Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in the semi-final and as things stand, the North Londoners look like the outright favourites to qualify to the next round having already beaten Sporting 1-0 at home.
However, Arsenal could miss key players against Sporting such as Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard and as a result, it would be outlandish to write the Portuguese giants off ahead of the game.
Mikel Arteta should play Eberechi Eze in a new role for Arsenal vs Sporting CP
One player who will be keen to deliver on Wednesday night is Eberechi Eze, following on from his stunner against Bayer Leverkusen in Arsenal’s 2-0 victory in the second leg of the Champions League last 16.
Eze admitted Viktor Gyokeres inspires him due to his relentless work ethic on the pitch and having had a similarly disappointing debut campaign at the club, the Englishman has the chance to right his wrongs against Sporting.
However, one way in which Mikel Arteta could make life easier for the 27-year-old is by playing him as a left-sided attacking midfielder, a position he often used to occupy at Crystal Palace but is yet to Arsenal.
During his final season at Palace, Eze registered 14 goals and 11 assists in all competitions, playing as a left-sided number 10 in tandem and thrived, notably scoring the winner in the FA Cup final against Manchester City.
However, since joining Arsenal, the former Reading attacker has been either deployed as a right-sided number 10, with Rice playing on the left or as an out-and-out left winger, two roles that are yet to suit him.
Eberechi Eze at Arsenal Positions played
Position Appearances
Right-sided attacking midfield 34
Left-wing 9
Central midfield 1
All statistics via Transfermarkt – correct as of 15/04/2026
Since becoming a Premier League player in 2020, Eze has shown that he is a bona fide match-winner, a trait that has been on show at times this season as well. The £67.5 million (Sky Sports) man’s last-gasp assist for Gabriel Martinelli’s equaliser against Manchester City in Arsenal’s 1-1 draw earlier this campaign, his screamer against Leverkusen and Eze’s braces against Tottenham Hotspur all indicate he can turn a game on its head.
With Arsenal’s creativity being called into question, Mikel Arteta could stun Sporting by tweaking his number 10’s role and judging by the kind of player he is, the FA Cup winner could potentially prove to be his side’s game-changer on the night.
Eberechi Eze stats vs Champions League teams
Considering Rice could potentially miss the much-awaited contest after seemingly picking up a knock against Bournemouth, Arteta may not be granted a better opportunity to trial the aforementioned experiment.
Furthermore, Eze’s statistics against Champions League sides suggests he is a man for the big occasions.
Eberechi Eze record vs Champions League teams Stats
Appearances 48
Goals 12
Assists 6
Including stats vs ‘Big Six’ and other Premier League sides when they qualified for the Champions League and this season’s numbers in Europe
Considering the Greenwich-born technician has spent a bulk of his career at Crystal Palace, his numbers look impressive to say the least.
With 12 goals and six assists to his name in 48 appearances against sides who have played Champions League football in the seasons in question proves that he could be Arsenal’s go-to man against Sporting.