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Your support makes all the difference.Arsenal qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League with a goalless draw at home to 10-man Sporting in a game overshadowed by a potentially serious ankle injury to England forward Danny Welbeck.
A victory for Qarabag against Vorskla Poltava meant this 0-0 draw was enough to secure the Gunners’ progress from Group E as Sporting had Jeremy Mathieu sent off late on for scything down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he burst through on goal.
But it was Welbeck’s injury just before the half hour mark that was the main talking point from a largely forgettable Emirates Stadium encounter.
40 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Sporting
There are one or two appeals for a penalty from the Sporting players as Holding controls the ball inside the Arsenal box. Replays show the referees decision to wave play on was correct.
44 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Sporting
Nani does well to keep the ball in after Mathieu looked to pick him out. His cut back is intercepted by Guendouzi, who does well to clear the danger.
45 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Sporting
Mkhitaryan overhits a free-kick and we're into four minutes added time at the end of the first half.
45 + 2 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Sporting
Sporting haven't exactly made much of an attempt to attack Arsenal tonight. They look like they're here for the point.
45 + 3 mins: Arsenal 0-0 Sporting
Lichtsteiner comes close to getting on the end of a cross but is unable to reach it.
Arsenal 0-0 Sporting
There's the half-time whistle. This game has been overshadowed by a nasty looking injury to Danny Welbeck.
Arsenal 0-0 Sporting
No goals at the Emirates Stadium yet but Arsenal are in control, with Sporting seeing very little of the ball.
The closest the Gunners have come to breaking the deadlock saw Sebastian Coates forced to clear off the line for the away side, after Matteo Guendouzi's cross was deflected goal bound.
Shortly after that, Danny Welbeck picked up a serious looking injury after trying to win a header in the Sporting box. He immediately went down and required oxygen as he was treated. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang replaced him.
Arsenal know that a victory will see them qualify for the knockout stages tonight but have failed to make the breakthrough so far.
Nani offers Welbeck support
This is great to see. Welbeck was, of course, named in Gareth Southgate's latest England squad today. He looks very unlikely to make that now.
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