The Gunners paid big money to sign Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad this summer. While he could be a fixture of Arteta's midfield in years to come, Thomas Partey is still marginally ahead in the pecking order and should get the nod.

Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Premier League - Julen Lopetegui, who will be suspended for the game, has "two or three" problems

The demolition of Sporting - which has lifted Arsenal into the coveted top eight spots in the Champions League table - came in the aftermath of an equally convincing 3-0 Premier League success over Nottingham Forest, one that ended a four-game winless streak in the division and kept Arteta's crop just inside the top four of the standings.