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Danny Welbeck scored the only goal of the game as Arsenal beat Europa League rivals Sporting Lisbon to extend their winning streak to 11 games.
After a largely forgettable opening half, the Gunners gradually improved after the interval and took control of Group E with a 1-0 victory at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
Welbeck had already seen a header chalked off for a foul but he was on hand to steer home in the 77th minute to settle the contest in favour of Unai Emery's side.
Granit Xhaka started in the unfamiliar role of left-back as Emery made six changes for the game in Portugal, with Welbeck one of those drafted in
The win means a draw in the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium in a fortnight could be enough to seal Arsenal's progression into the last-32 with two games remaining.
The draw leaves both sides on seven points in Group E, with the return fixture at the Emirates Stadium in a fortnight now seemingly pivotal as to who will become favourites to progress in first place.
Re-live the action below:
When is it?
Sporting vs Arsenal kicks off at 17:55 BST
Where to watch?
BT Sport will be showing live coverage on BT Sport 2 and online for customers on the BT Sport app and website.
Odds
Sporting to win: 3/1
Arsenal to win: 5/6
Draw: 11/4
Prediction
Sporting 0-2 Arsenal
13 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
It's not been the most eventful first 13 minutes. Arsenal are struggling to create anything at the moment.
14 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Lichtsteiner puts a dangerous looking ball into the Sporting box and Coates stretches out a leg to clear, with Aubameyang lurking.
16 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
First shot of the evening. Sporting striker Montero holds the ball up well before the ball is played out to Bruno Fernandes on the left hand-side. He cuts inside and shoots, but his effort flies over the Arsenal goal.
17 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
More defensive work from Mkhitaryan with Acua flying forward again. Leno comes out to deal with a long throw from the left-back and Arsenal look to counter.
18 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Bruno Fernandes is unlucky, here. The midfielder looks to volley a ball goalwards inside the box and it's not a bad effort, with Lichsteiner putting him under pressure. The referee penalises Fernandes for a high boot.
20 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
We've become a bit used to seeing Arsenal start slowly this season and this match has been no different. Lets see if they can up the tempo now...
21 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Mkhitaryan's ball into the Sporting box comes to nothing and Sporting look to break. Nani is involved in a one-two on the right-hand side but the attack breaks down.
23 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Close call. Arsenal are awarded a free kick on the edge of the Sporting box after Elneny went tumbling over. He felt it was inside the box, replays show it wasn't. Nevertheless, this is in a dangerous area...
24 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Mkhitaryan takes on the free-kick. He connects well with it but it's an easy save for Sporting goalkeeper Ribeiro, who punches away.
25 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
More good play from Acuna, who's been Sporting's biggest threat so far. He plays a dangerous looking cross into the Arsenal box and Holding heads away. Corner.
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