Mikel Arteta could be without two players due to suspension if Arsenal reach the Champions League semi-finals by beating Sporting CP
13:22, 15 Apr 2026
Arsenal have two Champions League suspension risks for a potential semi-final tie
View 2 Images
Arsenal have two Champions League suspension risks for a potential semi-final tie(Image: (Photo by Javier Garcia/Shutterstock))
Arsenal stars Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard will be suspended for a potential Champions League semi-final first leg if either are booked against Sporting CP on Wednesday evening. The Gunners take a 1-0 lead into their quarter-final second leg with a clash against Atletico Madrid to come if Mikel Arteta's side advance.
Yellow cards in Europe work very differently to the Premier League, with three cautions leading to a ban. If a player has already served a suspension in the competition, another one-game ban for any odd-numbered caution will be issued.
Zubimendi has received four yellows and therefore another against Sporting will see him as unavailable for a potential semi-final first leg. Norgaard meanwhile, is on two and thus another yellow will lead to a one-game ban.
If both players avoid yellow cards, Arteta will have no more suspension worries unless a player picks up a straight red card with UEFA rules stating that bookings are wiped out at the start of the semi-final stage.
Despite playing nearly 4,000 minutes, with fatigue seemingly impacting his latest displays, Zubimendi is expected to start. Ahead of the game, Arteta dismissed suggestions about the Spaniard's lack of rotation.
*FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE!Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page*
He said: “Well, there's been more rotation than I think any other team. So in some areas there are less. I think that's the one particular one that you are mentioning, probably.
“Obviously when you play that many games, to maintain the excellent level is almost impossible. I haven't seen a single player probably in the Premier League this season to be able to do that. So, again, it's part of that journey as a player and the shorter it is, the better.”
There have been calls for him to be rested, which would see Declan Rice drop back into a defensive midfield position. However, that seems unlikely to happen against Sporting with Rice a huge injury doubt.
After missing training, Arteta confirmed he has an issue, but was reluctant to say if he could feature on Wednesday evening. The Arsenal boss also admitted that one of Bukayo Saka or Jurrien Timber could be back.
Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber
View 2 Images
Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has admitted that one of Bukayo Saka and Jurrien Timber could return from injury against Sporting CP
It has been a challenging last month for Arsenal with a brutal Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester City and shock FA Cup exit at the hands of Southampton coming before this past weekend's defeat to Bournemouth.
City's win over Chelsea the following day has seen their lead at the top of the Premier League cut, with a massive fixture against Pep Guardiola's side to come this weekend.
Before then, a chance to reach the Champions League semi-finals for a second consecutive year is up for grabs. A late Kai Havertz goal in Portugal last week sees the advantage with the Gunners as they look to maintain their unbeaten record in the Champions League.
Avoiding defeat would see Arsenal in the final four and set to face Atletico over two legs following their 3-2 aggregate win over Barcelona.
Article continues below
On the other side of the bracket, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Liverpool while Bayern Munich are favourites to go through at the expense of Real Madrid after winning the first leg 2-1 at the Bernabeu.
Watch Arsenal vs Sporting CP on TNT Sports
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Content Image
£30.99
TNT Sports
Get TNT Sports here
Arsenal have reached the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals where they host Sporting CP in the second leg on April 15. Fans can watch the game on TNT Sports via HBO Max or Prime Video's TNT Sports channel.