Sporting Lisbon have confirmed their squad to travel to London on Thursday to face Arsenal, with a number of key omissions.

On Tuesday, Lisbon announced the players who would make the trip this week. Among those missing through injury are full-back Stefan Ristovski and winger Raphinha. Also, key midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia, who picked up a ligament injury over the weekend. He could miss the rest of the season.

Then 21-year-old midfielder Wendel misses out by choice, despite Sporting supporters believing he deserves more chances. Former Gunner Emiliano Viviano also fails to make the squad despite being fit and available. Just as during his spell with Arsenal, Viviano is struggling to get any time on the pitch since moving to Portugal this summer.

In other news, manager Jose Peseiro has been sacked since Arsenal’s trip to Lisbon. As a result, academy coach Tiago Fernandes will take charge of the team in London.

Arsenal need to make the most of all the uncertainty and changes to get a win and guarantee top spot in the group.

Full squad

Goalkeepers: Salin, Renan and Luís Maximiliano

Defence: Bruno Gaspar, Thierry Correia, Coates, André Pinto, Mathieu and Jefferson

Midfield: Gudelj, Petrovic, Bruno Fernandes, Miguel Luís and Marcos Acuña

Forwards: Nani, Carlos Mané, Jovane Cabral, Diaby, Bas Dost and Fredy Montero