Arsenal were unable to find a way past Sporting in their Europa League draw in the same way they did two weeks ago in Lisbon, however it was enough to seal qualification to the knockout round.
Their 1-0 win, and third of the group stage, was courtesy of Danny Welbeck’s late strike, but his fortunes could not have been further apart when the sides met in London. After a bright start, Welbeck was carried off on a stretcher after receiving gas and air following an awkward landing on his ankle.
Arsenal were given one final chance when Jeremy Mathieu was sent off for bringing down Pierrer-Emerick Aubameyang on the edge of the box, but the Gunners could not capitalise in the few minutes they had a man advantage.
