The coach wants a good first leg result against Arsenal

leg of the Round of 16 of the UEFA Europa League, and Rúben Amorim gave a press conference previewing the match.

"We're in good form and playing well, which is important, but I prefer not to focus too much on that. We are prepared and we have a plan. We will want to win, aware of the differences between the two teams. We are excited," he told journalists in Lisbon on Wednesday.

"Football is not only physical, but also mental. Beating a team like Arsenal would show us that anything is possible. Anything can happen over the two games," he stressed.

"Eliminating a team like Arsenal FC would make us face the challenges ahead with a different mindset. We wouldn't be favourites because there are still other strong teams and it's not worth thinking about that just yet. We want to get into the game well and try to win it."

"We know the spirit of Arsenal well, and they are also going through a very good run. They are very hungry to win and that's why they fight until the end. You can see it in the way they celebrate and in the way that they play. Our team have improved since the beginning of the season, in terms of our concentration and approach to games. We are also prepared for the best Arsenal possible, albeit aware that they are a very tough team. In these games, the players are focused from the first minute. We need a little bit of luck as well as our talent", he added.

Asked about Gunners manager Mikel Arteta, Amorim said that "he is an example for the current situation at Sporting CP."

"We were champions, then finished second and got through the Group Stage of the UEFA Champions League -and now we are having a difficult year. He is an example in the way he has withstood all the pressure, which must be unbelievable for a Premier League club like Arsenal, and it's reaping rewards with the results. It's a good example for us, the coach, the club and the fans, to understand that sometimes it takes time for projects to bring results."

Finally, Amorim assured that, even if they make rotations, Arsenal will remain formidable opposition.

"They are a well-drilled team. Their way of playing doesn't change, but the characteristics will. We have scouted them, and what we saw is that they are never a weaker team, they are always strong. They rotate to bring in fresh players in a league with a different pace than ours."

Sporting CP vs. Arsenal FC takes place at 5:45pm local time on Thursday, March 9th, at the Estádio José Alvalade.