Arsenal discovered it powerful going towards Sporting CP within the first leg of their Europa League final 16 tie on Thursday night time – giving up a primary half lead after which having to equalise themselves.
The Gunners will stay slim favourites to progress to the final eight of the competitors because of house benefit within the second leg, which successfully now makes the tie a one-off recreation.
The Europa League may provde Arsenal with their first European trophy in 29 years, however there stays a lot else additionally to play for this season with a primary Premier League title in 19 years additionally very a lot on the road within the weeks to return.
Here are Arsenal’s subsequent six video games, which fall both facet of a world break in March.
Arsenal’s subsequent engagement is a visit to London neighbours Fulham, who’ve shocked the highest flight by surging in the direction of the European placings in current months.
The return fixture offered a stirring early season win for the Gunners. Aleksandar Mitrovic had struck simply earlier than the hour mark however Martin Odegaard equalised earlier than Gabriel atoned for an earlier mistake by netting an 86th-minute winner.
Things began properly sufficient for Arsenal in Lisbon within the first leg when William Saliba scored an early header from a nook. But Sporting CP got here again into the sport in an enormous means not lengthy after.
Former Tottenham ahead Marcus Edwards proved an actual ache all through and was concerned closely as Goncalo Inacio and Paulinho scored both facet of half-time. An personal objective from Hidemasa Morita ensures the second leg will begin on a degree enjoying subject.
Crystal Palace have dished out some harsh therapy to Arsenal lately. The Eagles are even 4 video games unbeaten on the Emirates, drawing their final three after profitable 3-2 in 2019.
Palace beat Arsenal at Selhurst Park final season because the Gunners’ Champions League push started to fade however Mikel Arteta banished these demons earlier this time period with a 2-0 away victory because of Gabriel Martinelli’s strike and Marc Guehi’s personal objective.
Next up on the docket will likely be Leeds at the beginning of April. Teams can have recovered gamers from the March worldwide break earlier than the ultimate few crunch months of the season.
The two groups are battling for different objectives; Arsenal need the title whereas Leeds simply must survive. 1-0 proved sufficient for Arsenal to win at Elland Road in October.
This journey will likely be way more of an acid take a look at than video games towards Fulham, Palace and Leeds, all of which Arsenal will likely be anticipated to win whereas nonetheless probably tough.
Liverpool have handed out some extreme beatings to the Gunners in current occasions and have not misplaced to them at Anfield within the Premier League since 2012. However, Arsenal gained the return fixture and, given the 2 groups’ contrasting fortunes, will likely be favourites right here.
Arsenal will tackle one other relegation candidate after they return from Merseyside, although they may have one other Europa League recreation to play earlier than going through West Ham in the event that they get previous Sporting.
The Hammers not often put up a battle towards Arsenal, profitable simply one of many final 14 video games towards them, however may play with some added intent in the event that they’re nonetheless concerned within the scrap down on the backside of the desk.
The first legs of the 2022/23 Europa League quarter remaining ties will likely be performed on 13 April and the return video games on 20 April.
Should Arsenal beat Sporting over two legs, they’d have two extra video games to suit into their imminent schedule. The match with West Ham, already on a Sunday, will not be moved however the Friday night time recreation towards Southampton scheduled for 21 April must be rearranged.
On this version of The Chronicles of a Gooner, a part of the 90min podcast community, Harry Symeou previews Arsenal’s journey to Sporting CP within the Europa League and reacts to Gabriel Jesus’ return to full coaching.
If you may’t see this embed, click on right here to hearken to the podcast!
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