Mikel Arteta challenged his Arsenal side to improve on their patchy European away form against lively Sporting on Tuesday night, admitting they need to improve on a record of just one win in their past eight continental trips.

The visit to Sporting, who have made a flying start in the new-look Champions League and sit second in the table, could have a major impact on Arsenal’s hopes of avoiding a last-16 play-off in February. They have scored in all their past four away games in the Champions League and even though they arguably earned more at Inter last time out, Arteta knows that is a record that cannot be maintained.

“Not all games have been the same,” Arteta said when asked if he noticed a pattern in Arsenal’s away games. “One thing that is very true is that we need to improve those results and find ways to understand what is missing. Sometimes it was about performance, sometimes about other aspects. That is the next step we have to take as a team.

“It’s definitely something we need to improve on. Making those steps is what we need to do now. “Be ruthless, be efficient in the opposition box and do what we need to do to get the three points from here.”

Arteta explained that his team simply wasn’t clinical enough on the road. “The efficiency we have shown inside the box at this level with the chances we can normally generate … is not at the level needed to win consistently. I always say that the Champions League is about boxes, small margins and details. You have to give all these people the right to win, especially away from home.”

Sporting caused shock waves a fortnight ago with the 4-1 win against Manchester City, which also meant a spectacular farewell for Manchester United-bound Ruben Amorim. Viktor Gyökeres scored a hat-trick that evening, although Arteta was not interested in discussing the individual threat of the vaunted centre-forward.

Arsenal and Sporting share some recent history, contesting a Europa League round of 32 tie in March 2023, which the Portuguese side eventually won on penalties. The first leg at Estádio José Alvalade was a 1-1 draw.

Kieran Tierney has an outside chance of making his first appearance for Arsenal since August 2023 after recovering from a hamstring injury and being included in the traveling squad.

João Pereira, who has stepped up from his previous role in charge of Sporting’s reserves to replace Amorim, revealed that he and his predecessor had exchanged well wishes before the match. “I spoke to Amorim before his debut (at Ipswich),” he said. “He sent me a message wishing me the best of luck and a great career.”