Sporting CP suffer major injury blow ahead of crucial Arsenal clash

Sporting CP arrive in north London this week to plot their way past Unai Emery’s in-form side without a manager after the previous boss Jose Peseiro was sacked at the end of last week. It is reported that former Ajax manager Marcel Keizer will replace him but not until after the game against Arsenal. That means that Tiago Fernandes, who currently works within Sporting’s academy, will take charge of the senior side against Arsenal on Thursday evening. And in a further blow Sporting’s hopes, key midfielder Rodrigo Battaglia suffered a knee injury at the weekend that looks set to keep him out for the rest of the season. It’s being reported in Portugal that defender Stefan Ristovski and winger Rafinha will also miss the Arsenal game.

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