Sporting vs Arsenal, Europa League: Danny Welbeck's late goal extends Gunners' winning run

Re-live the action from the Estádio José Alvalade

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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

Key Points

• Full match report
• Player ratings

[25 October 2018 18:22 · Jack Sear]

26 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Nani's corner is headed behind again by Arsenal. Acuna takes on the second corner but fails to beat the first man.

[25 October 2018 18:23 · Jack Sear]

27 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal look to attack as Welbeck cuts in from the left hand side. The ball is played out to Mkhitaryan who's in acres on the right, but his cross is cleared.

[25 October 2018 18:25 · Jack Sear]

29 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal haven't done a lot, but Sporting haven't really, either. Petrovic's overhit pass from midfield flies out for a goal-kick and that about sums up the events of this game so far.

[25 October 2018 18:26 · Jack Sear]

30 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Sporting have a corner after a misplaced pass back from Xhaka. That was poor.

[25 October 2018 18:26 · Jack Sear]

31 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Sporting take it short and Sokratis heads a cross behind for another corner.

[25 October 2018 18:27 · Jack Sear]

32 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

The home side go short again. Guendouzi blocks a shot from the edge of the box before Fernandes blazes a shot over.

[25 October 2018 18:28 · Jack Sear]

32 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

That was close from Nani. We've seen him do this before. Sporting capitalise on some sloppy Arsenal play at the back. Nani collects the ball, cuts in from the left side and fires a shot just over. That would have been some goal. 

[25 October 2018 18:30 · Jack Sear]

33 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

The home fans aren't happy after Sokratis and Montero are involved in a tussle, with the Sporting striker looking to get in on goal. The referee isn't interested. Replays show that the Arsenal centre-back may well have got away with one there. That would have almost certainly have been a red card, too.

[25 October 2018 18:32 · Jack Sear]

36 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Acuna charges down the left side again and does brilliantly to beat both Mkhitaryan and Lichtsteiner. Montero fails to produce an end product, but the Sporting left-back has certainly caught the eye tonight.

[25 October 2018 18:33 · Jack Sear]

37 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Danny Welbeck flies down the left side for Arsenal and looks to get in on goal. Coates does well to hold him at bay and clear. Moments later, Aubameyang takes on a shot from what must have been at least 35 yards out. Poor effort.