Arsenal discovered it powerful going in opposition to Sporting CP within the first leg of their Europa League final 16 tie on Thursday evening – 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 due to dwelling benefit within the second leg, which successfully now makes the tie a one-off sport.
The Europa League might 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.
Listed below are Arsenal’s subsequent six video games, which fall both aspect of a global break in March.
Arsenal’s subsequent engagement is a visit to London neighbours Fulham, who’ve shocked the highest flight by surging in 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.
Issues began nicely sufficient for Arsenal in Lisbon within the first leg when William Saliba scored an early header from a nook. However Sporting CP got here again into the sport in an enormous manner 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 aspect of half-time. An personal objective from Hidemasa Morita ensures the second leg will begin on a degree enjoying area.
Crystal Palace have dished out some harsh remedy to Arsenal in recent times. 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 due to Gabriel Martinelli’s strike and Marc Guehi’s personal objective.
Subsequent up on the docket shall be Leeds at the beginning of April. Groups can have recovered gamers from the March worldwide break earlier than the ultimate few crunch months of the season.
The 2 groups are battling for different targets; Arsenal need the title whereas Leeds simply must survive. 1-0 proved sufficient for Arsenal to win at Elland Street in October.
This journey shall be way more of an acid check than video games in opposition to Fulham, Palace and Leeds, all of which Arsenal shall be anticipated to win whereas nonetheless probably troublesome.
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. Nevertheless, Arsenal gained the return fixture and, given the 2 groups’ contrasting fortunes, shall be favourites right here.
Arsenal will tackle one other relegation candidate once they return from Merseyside, although they might have one other Europa League sport to play earlier than dealing with West Ham in the event that they get previous Sporting.
The Hammers hardly ever put up a struggle in opposition to Arsenal, profitable simply one of many final 14 video games in opposition to them, however might play with some added intent in the event that they’re nonetheless concerned within the scrap down on the backside of the desk.
The primary legs of the 2022/23 Europa League quarter closing ties shall be performed on 13 April and the return video games on 20 April.
Ought to Arsenal beat Sporting over two legs, they might 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 evening sport in opposition to 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.
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