Arsenal were dealt a favourable Europa League last-16 draw on Friday as they discovered Sporting CP will be their opponents. Despite European knockout round matches taking place this week, the Gunners, after finishing top of their group, were not in action as the new format includes a play-off round contested by teams finishing third in a Champions League group against the runners-up from all eight Europa League groups.
The official Europa League round of 16 is therefore set to be contested in March and now the ties are set with five teams formerly in the Champions League, including Arsenal's opponents, keeping their European dreams alive.
At the beginning of the season, Sporting were in the Champions League but a third-placed finish saw them drawn against FC Midtjylland of Denmark. A disappointing 1-1 draw at home meant they faced a slight disadvantage in the second leg but a 4-0 away victory was secured to set up a last-16 clash with the current Premier League leaders.
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With underdogs like Union Saint-Gilloise and Ferencvarosi TC in the draw, the Portuguese outfit were certainly hopeful of a good tie coming their way, however, that was not the case. Lisbon-based Portuguese football expert and Sporting supporter Jose Miguel spoke to football.london about the draw, explaining how it could not have gone worse for the club.
“Definitely, yes," he replied when asked if being drawn to Arsenal was the worst scenario. "I mean it’s the team which is doing the best this season in the Premier League. Probably the best team playing so far in the top five leagues, I believe.
"Sporting couldn’t have hoped for any worse. I think Sporting have assets that can make a difference against a team like Arsenal but it’s going to be very hard; I mean it’s an impossible task to defeat Arsenal at this moment."
Just under two years ago, Sporting won the Primera Liga, however two hugely influential players left in the following summer after they failed to retain their crown. Joao Palhinha and Mathues Nunes were the departing duo with both heading for the Premier League to sign for Fulham and Wolves, respectively.
Sporting also suffered a major loss in the January transfer window with Tottenham acquiring Pedro Porro on deadline day on loan with an obligation to buy for £45million . With Arsenal now facing Sporting without Porro, who was a hugely influential player for their back five system, Spurs have indirectly helped their North London rivals' chances of progression greatly.
Ruben Amorim was able to find a replacement for Porro in former Arsenal star Hector Bellerin who was signed from Barcelona. However, the Spaniard does not offer Sporting what Porro could, according to Miguel.
“He’s [Bellerin] not Pedro Porro at all. They’re not the same and I know that Porro’s debut for Tottenham was not great, to say the least.
“But Bellerin can still make a difference, he’s very quick. He doesn’t have the ability to face one-vs-one in the last third, which Porro had and he’s still catching up physically and tactically at Sporting so far.
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