Two Arsenal stars at risk of Champions League ban ahead of Sporting clash

Arsenal go into the Champions League quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon with the likes of Martin Zubimendi facing the danger of another suspension if he's booked

Arsenal have two stars facing the prospect of a Champions League suspension if they pick up a yellow card during the quarter-final against Sporting Lisbon.

Martin Zubimendi and Christian Norgaard are one booking away from having to sit out a European game, which may stretch the team's resources. Norgaard has very much been a squad player under Mikel Arteta, but Zubimendi has been far more regular and influential.

Norgaard was booked twice during league phase against Slavia Prague and Club Brugge - a third would force him to miss a game. Zubimendi has already served a Champions League ban this season having picked up yellow cards against Athletic Club, Olympiacos and Atletico Madrid.

That meant he missed the game in Prague and, after being booked against Bayer Leverkusen, he is facing the prospect of a fifth yellow card.

UEFA’s rules state: "Players and team officials are suspended for the next competition match after three cautions, which did not result in a red card, as well as following any subsequent odd-numbered caution (fifth, seventh, ninth, etc.)"

Yellow cards in the Champions League are not reset until after the quarter-final stage which means Zubimendi and Norgaard both need to be on their best behaviour in the two games against Sporting to avoid a suspension, potentially in a semi-final should Arsenal advance.

Talisman Declan Rice, who missed the final league phase fixture against Kairat through suspension, could also find himself walking a yellow card tightrope if he's booked against Sporting in the first-leg, which would put him on four yellow cards ahead of the return fixture at the Emirates next week.

Arsenal have been nearly perfect in this season's Champions League, winning nine of ten games and drawing the other. However their return to European action comes at a time where their season is being severely questions following successive defeats domestically. They were beaten in the Carabao Cup final and then shocked in the FA Cup.

It leaves them needing to get back on track in the Champions League as the Premier League leaders seek to rediscover top form. A win over Sporting, who have overachieved by getting this far, would set up a semi-final against either Barcelona or Atletico Madrid.

Mikel Arteta's side are seeking to reach just their second European Cup final following their loss in 2006.