Sporting Lisbon vs Arsenal LIVE commentary: Mikel Arteta's men ...

Arsenal continue their search for glory this week as they return to Europa League action against Sporting Lisbon in the round of 16.

The Gunners’ last Europa League game was in November, but after Barcelona’s elimination, they stand a very good chance of winning the competition.

Arsenal are riding on a crest of a wave and head to Portugal full of confidence

The north Londoners also boast an excellent record against Sporting and haven’t conceded a goal in four previous meetings.

But the Portuguese side are dangerous and ruthlessly beat Tottenham 2-0 earlier this year in the Champions League. They have also won their last four games and Ruben Amorin’s side are known for playing slick football.

However, they struggled in the first leg of their last-16 play-off against Midtjylland before turning it around, so Arsenal have nothing to fear.

Sporting vs Arsenal: talkSPORT coverage

This Europa League round of 16 clash is scheduled to take place on Thursday, March 9.

Kick-off at the Jose Alvalade Stadium is scheduled for 6:45pm local time, which is 5:45pm in the UK.

talkSPORT 2 will have live commentary from Lisbon with Jim Proudfoot and former England striker Dean Ashton.

To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.

You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.

Sporting stunned Arsenal’s north London rivals Spurs earlier this season Sporting vs Arsenal: Team news

The big news for the Gunners is that Gabriel Jesus is set to travel to Portugal.

The striker is continuing his rehabilitation from knee surgery and the next phase will see him head to Lisbon, but he is unlikely to take any part, with the forward aiming to return after the international break.

The Gunners are also likely to be without Leandro Trossard after he limped out of their 3-2 win over Bournemouth with a groin problem.

Mohamed Elneny will definitely miss out and Eddie Nketiah is a doubt with an ankle knock.

Meanwhile, the hosts will be without star midfielder Manuel Ugarte after he picked up a third yellow card in the Europa League clash against Midtjylland, meaning he will miss the first leg.

Jesus is expected to travel with the Arsenal squad to Portugal Sporting vs Arsenal: Match facts This will be the fifth meeting between Arsenal and Sporting CP in the European competition, with the Gunners yet to lose or concede a goal in the previous four.Arsenal are unbeaten in six previous meetings with Portuguese opponents in the UEFA Europa League (W3 D3), including eliminating Benfica in the knockout stages in 2020-21 (4-3 on aggregate in Last 32).Sporting CP have progressed from each of their previous six ties against English sides in the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup/Europa League, with all six coming against different teams.Arsenal have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five games in the UEFA Europa League, although each of the last five goals they have conceded in the competition have come in away games.Marcus Edwards, Paulinho and Arthur all scored against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Champions League earlier this season – if any of them score against Arsenal, they will become only the second player to score against both Arsenal and Spurs in a single European campaign, after Youssef El Arabi for Olympiakos in 2019-20 (excluding qualifying rounds).