A host of key players terminated their contracts with the 18-time Portuguese champions after their training ground was attacked by disgruntled supporters.

The likes of Rui Patricio and William Carvalho were among those to depart, with Peseiro returning for a second spell in charge to replace Sinisa Mihajlovic - who left after nine days in the job.

Sporting host Arsenal in the Europa League on Thursday night having lost just two of their games this season.

While they will be underdogs against the Gunners - who travel to Lisbon on a 10-match winning streak - Peseiro is pleased with where the club currently stands after a turbulent two months.

"We had to bring the players back together and we've been able to do it: the players are united," he said.

"We want our fans to be untied with us. Even though we have lost two games we know we have to give the signal. At the most dramatic times of our history, we have to give a positive response to the fans.

"It was an important challenge, a fantastic challenge, with all the difficulties we had, but it's a challenge that we think we can overcome.

"Those difficulties are something we were aware of. I wanted to win, I wanted to come back to this club, I was not able to be victorious in the past, now I want to be victorious."

Sporting boast a good record of success in Portugal but lag behind city rivals Benfica and Porto.

Even after their recent issues, Peseiro is adamant they can leapfrog their historical rivals and once again conquer Portuguese football.

"The players never questioned their love for Sporting, they just questioned their safety, how they'd be received by the fans, something they never felt they'd experience in the lives," he added.

"The players were always united, always together, and they've shown it, and that's the proof we have for the fans.

"We have given opportunities to all the players. We can be stronger than Benfica or Porto, I have no issue saying that, we may not have the same resources, but we can fight for all the titles. Our players have given everything for the club."