{"id":2939,"date":"2026-04-06T16:44:16","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=2939"},"modified":"2026-04-06T16:44:16","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T16:44:16","slug":"arsenal-line-ups-vs-sporting-decided-with-max-dowman-call-and-eight-changes-made-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/?p=2939","title":{"rendered":"Arsenal line-ups vs Sporting decided with Max Dowman call and eight changes made"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_e792fe\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">football.london reporters pick their Arsenal XIs for the Champions League quarter-final trip to Sporting CP<\/h2>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33723007\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Max Dowman\" loading=\"eager\" sizes=\"(max-width: 508px) 508px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33723007.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2244517294.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33723007.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s508\/0_GettyImages-2244517294.jpg 508w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33723007.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615\/0_GettyImages-2244517294.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33723007.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200f\/0_GettyImages-2244517294.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Max Dowman is in contention for his first Champions League start\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Max Dowman is in contention for his first Champions League start<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arsenal&#8217;s trip to Sporting CP feels huge for so many reasons on the back of two poor domestic cup defeats to Manchester City and Southampton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Not only that but Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side are facing a Sporting team that has lost just once in 27 Portuguese league fixtures and they&#8217;re still bouncing following that dramatic comeback against Bodo\/Glimt.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The positive news is Arsenal won convincingly in Lisbon last season and that will give them confidence, even though they could yet be without Bukayo Saka, Ebere Eze, Jurrien Timber and Piero Hincapie.<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">football.london<\/strong> reporters Tom Canton and Ryan Taylor have selected their Arsenal starting XIs under the assumption Declan Rice, Gabriel Magalhaes and Leandro Trossard will be fit following their returns to training.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">FOLLOW OUR ARSENAL FB PAGE! <a aria-label=\"Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook pageLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AFCFootball.London#\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Latest Gunners news, analysis and much more via our dedicated Facebook page<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"HeadingTwo_heading-two__4TTeG  __className_18bd99\">Tom Canton &#8211; Chief Arsenal Reporter<\/h2>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">With the information gleamed from the open training session, there appear to be several players returning to the squad. After the disappointment of the last two weeks there is definitely a focus on trying to go strong in all the remaining games this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Declan Rice and Leandro Trossard have been spotted in training. Big Gabi as well returned but I\u2019d be hesitant to start him after his issue and rest him for the weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Viktor Gyokeres returns to face his former club and will surely be subjected to some boos after how he left. After scoring his 17th goal of the season, there are hopes this could be the beginning of a real run of form.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The return of David Raya is the biggest for me though and I look forward to seeing his influence level up this team from the previous two performances.<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Canton&#8217;s Arsenal XI vs Sporting CP<\/strong>Raya, White, Saliba, Mosquera, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Madueke, Gyokeres, Trossard<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-33637242\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33637242\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.45\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Viktor Gyokeres\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33637242.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Chelsea-v-Arsenal-Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-First-Leg.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33637242.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Chelsea-v-Arsenal-Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-First-Leg.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33637242.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Chelsea-v-Arsenal-Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-First-Leg.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article33637242.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Chelsea-v-Arsenal-Carabao-Cup-Semi-Final-First-Leg.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Viktor Gyokeres should lead the line for Arsenal against his former side Sporting CP\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Viktor Gyokeres should lead the line for Arsenal against his former side Sporting CP<cite aria-label=\"Image: Alex Pantling\/Getty Images\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Alex Pantling\/Getty Images)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"HeadingTwo_heading-two__4TTeG  __className_18bd99\">Ryan Taylor<\/h2>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">I&#8217;d go slightly different to Tom as I feel Ben White has played a lot of football of late and also struggled at Southampton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Keeping Sporting CP at bay is key and I&#8217;d slot Cristhian Mosquera in at right-back, where he filled in against Everton, with William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes and Riccardo Calafiori completing the back-four.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In midfield, I think the line-up picks itself with Martin Zubimendi, Declan Rice and Martin Odegaard starting their first game together since the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United in January.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">I&#8217;d actually throw Max Dowman in on the right, Noni Madueke has flattered to deceive in recent times and he was also donning wrist tape and a knee bandage bandage in training, suggesting he&#8217;s still nursing two separate issues.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">I&#8217;d bring Leandro Trossard back in on the left with Viktor Gyokeres leading the line in attack.<strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Taylor&#8217;s Arsenal XI vs Sporting CP<\/strong>: Stripe; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Calafiori; Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard; Dowman, Gyokeres, Trossard<\/p>\n<aside class=\"Factbox_factbox-container__hSMOa\" id=\"factbox\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Entering Factbox content\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"32887284\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"factbox\" data-testid=\"factbox\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" sizes=\"(max-width: 615px) 615px, (max-width: 810px) 810px, 1168px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1168v\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg\" srcset=\"&#10;        https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/n615\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg 615w,&#10;        https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/n810\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg 810w,&#10;        https:\/\/i2-prod.football.london\/article32887212.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1168v\/0_SEEING-RED-ART-1.jpg 1168w&#10;    \"\/><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs Factbox_heading-three__NXU52 __className_18bd99\">Welcome to &#8216;Seeing Red&#8217; &#8211; our new Arsenal podcast<\/h3>\n<div class=\"Factbox_content__xdMV8\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We&#8217;ve launched a new Arsenal podcast &#8216;Seeing Red&#8217; with chief football writer John Cross and Arsenal reporter Tom Canton.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Each week, they will dive deep into the biggest topics as they follow Mikel Arteta&#8217;s side every step of the way &#8211; and will also discuss nostalgic flashbacks before each fixture.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It&#8217;s a great time to be an Arsenal fan, with the Gunners flying high under Arteta as they look to win silverware this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The North Londoners are going strong in the Premier League and Champions League &#8211; and they&#8217;re also in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We&#8217;ll provide insight and reaction &#8211; and have fun along the way &#8211; as Arsenal target the biggest trophies this season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">No stone will be left unturned. VAR controversy? Poor performances? Unsung hero who deserves praise? Fixture chaos? We&#8217;ll have it all covered.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"Click here to view our YouTube channelLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@SeeingRedArsenal\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to view our YouTube channel<!-- --><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"Click here to download our podcastsLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/pod.link\/1652497071\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Click here to download our podcasts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>football.london reporters pick their Arsenal XIs for the Champions League quarter-final trip to Sporting CP Max Dowman is in contention for his first Champions League start Arsenal&#8217;s trip to Sporting CP feels huge for so many reasons on the back of two poor domestic cup defeats to Manchester City and Southampton. Not only that but [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2940,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-arsenal"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2939","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2939"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2939\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2940"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportings.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}