Gunners Eye Another Historic Run, Sporting Seek First English Away Win Since 2014

Arsenal head into their Champions League clash with Sporting buoyed by a formidable record in European competition, while their Portuguese opponents continue to search for a breakthrough against English sides.

The Gunners have progressed in 19 of their last 20 two-legged knockout ties in Europe after winning the first leg away from home, with their only elimination coming against Olympiacos in the 2019/20 Europa League.

At the Emirates, Arsenal have lost just once in their last 23 European fixtures, a semi-final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last season, and have kept 16 clean sheets in their last 22 home matches.

Mikel Arteta’s side have won 10 of their 11 Champions League games this season, a record matched only by Bayern Munich’s perfect 11 wins in 2019/20.

They are currently on a five-match winning streak at home in the competition, their best run since a seven-game stretch between 2001 and 2002.

Goalkeeper David Raya has been central to that success, recording seven clean sheets in the 2025/26 campaign. Only Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy, with nine in 2020/21, has ever managed more for an English club in a single Champions League season.

Gabriel Martinelli has also been in scintillating form, contributing six goals and two assists in just 507 minutes, averaging a direct goal involvement every 63 minutes, the best ratio by any Arsenal player with over 500 minutes in a single edition.

Sporting, meanwhile, have drawn each of their last four major European away games against English opposition, a run stretching back to their 3-1 defeat at Chelsea in December 2014.

Luis Suarez and Trincao have both been directly involved in seven goals this season, equalling Viktor Gyokeres’ club record from last year.