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 18:34 · Jack Sear]

38 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Nani isn't happy here. At all. A ball is crossed into the Arsenal box and Nani goes down after a tussle with Lichtsteiner. He feels the home side should have had a penalty, the referee disagrees.

[25 October 2018 18:36 · Jack Sear]

39 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Acuna is booked for a tackle on Lichtsteiner. Replays show the left-back had his studs up. Probably the correct decision. Arsenal have a free-kick on the right-hand side.

[25 October 2018 18:36 · Jack Sear]

40 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

The free-kick is totally over hit and goes behind for a Sporting goal kick. Arsenal have been underwhelming so far tonight.

[25 October 2018 18:38 · Jack Sear]

42 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Acuna is busy again inside the Arsenal half. Sporting have a corner after his cross was headed behind by Sokratis.

[25 October 2018 18:39 · Jack Sear]

43 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Arsenal head the corner clear. Welbeck looks to counter but can't beat Ristovski.

[25 October 2018 18:40 · Jack Sear]

44 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Sporting have yet another corner after Holding did well to stop Nani from entering the Arsenal box.

[25 October 2018 18:41 · Jack Sear]

45 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Ristovski is struggling after that coming together with Welbeck. It looks as if the right-back may have to come off here.

[25 October 2018 18:42 · Jack Sear]

45 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Off comes Ristovski, who's holding his hamstring. Bruno Gaspar replaces him.

[25 October 2018 18:43 · Jack Sear]

Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

Aubameyang sees a shot easily saved by Ribeiro and that's half-time.

[25 October 2018 18:47 · Jack Sear]

Sporting 0-0 Arsenal

I'm not sure Unai Emery will be entirely happy with his side's performance in that first half. A draw would not be the end of the world for Arsenal tonight, but the Gunners have offered very little so far.

It's Sporting who have looked the most likely to break the deadlock. Left-back Acuna has had a busy first half and there have been flashes of brilliance from Nani, too.

Some may say that Arsenal are lucky to still have 11 players on the pitch. Sporting striker Montero was hauled down by Sokratis just after the half an hour mark, with the Colombian looking to race through on goal. Nothing was given, but replays show that Sokratis did in fact have a hold of Montero's shirt.