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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
71 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Sebastian Coates is booked after bringing down Aubameyang around 25 yards from the Sporting goal. Poor challenge and a deserved booking.
71 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Second change of the night for Sporting as Nemanja Gudelj makes way for Jovane.
72 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Torreira takes on the free kick and forces Ribeiro into a save. Arsenal have another corner. Can they get the opener?
73 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Sporting keeper Ribeiro is down and requires treatment.
75 minutes: Sporting 0-0 Arsenal
Ribeiro is fine to continue for now. The Arsenal corner comes to nothing...again. Acuna is now down on the left-hand side for Sporting.
77 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
The Gunners get their goal after a poor error from former Liverpool centre-back Coates. Welbeck capitalises on the loose ball and fires low into the Sporting net.
Are the Gunners on their way to 11 wins on the bounce?
79 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Sporting look to respond instantly but Nani's left-footed strike is blocked. You wouldn't bet against Arsenal getting a second goal on the counter, here.
Alexandre Lacazette is set to be introduced to the action.
81 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
Here comes Lacazette. It's the goalscorer Welbeck who makes way.
He'll be happy with tonight's work after that goal. It was a good finish.
84 minutes: Sporting 0-1 Arsenal
We're approaching the last five minutes. Can the Gunners hold on here?
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