Arsenal head to Lisbon with one of the clearest strengths in Europe, and Sporting CP can say much the same. This Champions League meeting has quickly become a clash between two sides who know exactly how to turn dead balls into live danger.

That is what gives Tuesday’s tie an extra layer. Arsenal have built a huge part of their Premier League threat around corners, wide free-kicks and long throws.

The Gunners have scored more than 20 goals directly from set pieces this season. 16 of them came from corners in the 2025/26 Premier League season only. This underlines just how polished Mikel Arteta’s routines have become.

However, Sporting are hardly walking into this as passive observers. Portuguese newspaper O Jogo explain the Portuguese side have scored 15 goals from set plays in Liga Portugal this season. This is the best return in their domestic league.

The same report adds that Portugal’s top flight ranks second among Europe’s six biggest leagues for the share of goals coming from set pieces, behind only… the Premier League.

Where Sporting v Arsenal could be decided

Arsenal’s numbers make them an obvious reference point here. FBref shows they have been the Premier...