Sporting CP goalkeeper Romain Salin thinks Arsenal are a ‘great team’ and admits his side will have to work together to get a result on Thursday.

Speaking to UEFA, in quotes reported by Portuguese outlet Record, Salin said Sporting know the challenge they’re facing coming up against this Arsenal side.

“We are aware that [Arsenal] are a great team,” he said“We are going to do everything with each other. Our team is what will make us able to face a great team like Arsenal.”

Sporting's Dutch forward Bas Dost (2L), French goalkeeper Romain Salin (L), Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio (C), Portuguese midfielder William de Carvalho (2R) and Portuguese defender Fabio Coentrao attend a training session at Sporting's training ground in Alcochete, outskirts of Lisbon, on December 4, 2017, on the eve of the Champions League match, group D, Barcelona vs Sporting CP. / AFP PHOTO / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / Getty Images
Sporting’s Dutch forward Bas Dost (2L), French goalkeeper Romain Salin (L), Portuguese goalkeeper Rui Patricio (C), Portuguese midfielder William de Carvalho (2R) and Portuguese defender Fabio Coentrao attend a training session at Sporting’s training ground in Alcochete, outskirts of Lisbon, on December 4, 2017, on the eve of the Champions League match, group D, Barcelona vs Sporting CP. / AFP PHOTO / PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA / Getty Images

Every team in Europe will know what to expect coming up against Arsenal. The team spent so many consecutive seasons in the Champions League that it would be hard not to have seen them play, and they’ve produced some of the best matches and most attractive football in the last couple of decades.

However, the Gunners finally dropped down into the Europa League after finishing outside the top four in 2016/17. They haven’t managed to find their way back to Europe’s top competition yet, and their reputation is taking a bit of a hit as a result.

Unai Emery’s got them winning again though, with 10 victories on the bounce. They’re level on points with Sporting going into Thursday’s group stage clash, so we’ll have to wait and see who comes out on top.