Arsenal’s last eight away games in Europe have produced one win, three draws and four defeats; in their last four trips to the continent, they haven’t scored a single goal. As one of their most celebrated alumni might say: Problem!

Big problem? Not yet. Arsenal have seven points and sit 12th in the giant Champions League table; they will surely advance, but this game will help decide whether they do so via the playoffs, incurring more tricky away trips. As you might have heard, Sporting have lost manager Ruben Amorim, but they are still a free-scoring threat and have previous. The first of those eight Arsenal away games came in Lisbon, a 2-2 Europa League draw which led to defeat on penalties back at the Emirates.

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