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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
Hope for the Gunners
A lacklustre first half from the away side, but here's a stat that offers some hope.
In the 10 games that Arsenal have won in the build up to this one, they've been level at half-time in seven of them.
Bodes well, doesn't it?
46 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
This isn't ideal for Rob Holding. The Arsenal centre-back is booked seconds into the second period after leading into an aerial challenge with his arm.
47 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Half a chance for Sporting forward Montero. The free-kick is pumped into the Arsenal box before the Colombian heads wide.
48 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Much better from Arsenal. Guendouzi plays an excellent pass into Mkhitaryan who slides through to Aubameyang. The striker peels off the defender and forces Ribeiro into a save. The corner comes to nothing.
50 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
What a chance for Arsenal and it's Aubameyang again. The Arsenal striker is in behind the two Sporting centre-backs and one-on-one with Ribeiro. He opts to try and lift the ball over the goalkeeper but is denied. Biggest chance yet for the away side.
51 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
That's much more like it from Arsenal, though. If they're to go on and win this it would be typical of Unai Emery's side this season.
52 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
There's a few appeals from the home fans as Sporting pump the ball into the Arsenal box from a free-kick. A bit of a goalmouth scramble follows before Leno collects. Nothing in it.
53 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
That looked a certain goal. Guendouzi does brilliantly to beat the Sporting defender before squaring for Welbeck. His shot looked certain to hit the back of the net but was blocked.
The resulting corner was wasted after Xhaka totally overhit it.
Chances for Arsenal early in the second period.
57 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Lucas Torreira is stripped and ready to come on for Arsenal.
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