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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
85 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
The home side need to do a lot more if they're to get an equaliser, here. They've failed to create anything of note in this second half.
86 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Jovane shoots wide with an unconvincing effort for the home side.
Unai Emery makes his final change, with Alex Iwobi coming on for Aubameyang. The Gabon forward has had a good second half.
87 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Sporting make their final sub, with Nani making way for Abdoulaye Diaby.
88 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Ramsey looks to pick out Lacazette with a low cross into the box. The Gunners take the resulting corner short and seem to be playing with one eye on the clock now. This would be another big win.
90 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Terrible effort from Jovane, who's long range strike goes very high and very, very wide.
At the other end, Arsenal now have a corner.
90 + 1 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
We're into five minutes of stoppage time here. Some Arsenal fans may feel that's a little hefty.
90 + 1 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Ramsey is penalised for a foul and Sporting have a chance to get the ball into the Arsenal box.
90 + 2 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Lichtsteiner does well to clear but seems to have hurt his shoulder in the process. He's on his feet now but looks to be in some discomfort. Corner to Sporting.
90 + 3 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Leno collects the corner and sends Arsenal on the counter attack. Jovane goes into the book after taking one for the team as the away side look to break with Ramsey.
90 + 3 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Replays of that last Sporting corner show that Sebastian Coates is very lucky to still be on the pitch. He headbutted Stefan Lichtsteiner after the right-back was unhappy at the centre-back for going down too easily in the box.
Frustrated about that mistake for the goal, perhaps?
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