Sporting Lisbon ready to challenge Arsenal winning run

Arsenal may have won ten matches consecutively, but tonight’s clash against Sporting Lisbon of Portugal is likely to be our toughest challenge yet as we aim to carry on our winning run trick, especially as it is sure that Unai Emery will be tinkering with his selection as we are set to travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday. Now Sporting Lisbon are in fifth place in the Primeira Liga but only four points separate them with the leaders Benfica.

Unai Emery said that this is not going to be easy. “For us first this tournament is very, very important and the opposition tomorrow are very good team with a very good experience in this tournament and with good players.

“Sporting Lisbon changed players and also their coach this year but for us in this moment we are two teams both in the first position and our mind are to arrive first in this group and to continue in our way thinking how we can progress.

“This is a very, very big game and key for our confidence and to try to continue working tactically on the things with the players with a lot of respect for them. We want to win against Sporting Lisbon.” He told arsenal.com

We may want to win but we all need to be aware that there is no such thing as an easy match at the Estádio José Alvalade as the proofs tell us that Sporting have not lost a game at home in any competition for over a year, in fact the last team to win at their home was Barcelona who won 1-0 last September.

The Stadium holds 50,000 capacity and they have a very vocal support. It will be a very intimidating atmosphere, so if we win today with a weakened side I for one will be very impressed. I would be happy with a draw so we can top of the Group by beating them in returning match back at the Emirates.