Arsenal 0-0 Sporting Lisbon: Gunners reach Europa League knockout stages as Danny Welbeck sustains horrifying injury

Arsenal 0-0 Sporting Lisbon: Gunners reach Europa League knockout stages as Danny Welbeck sustains horrifying injury
Arsenal have made the last 32 of the Europa League after playing out a goalless draw at home to ten-man Sporting Lisbon.However, the game that was massively overshadowed by a potentially serious injury to Gunners and England forward Danny Welbeck.The 0-0 draw was enough to send Unai Emery’s men through in a game which saw Sporting’s Jeremy Mathieu dismissed for a late scything challenge on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as the forward burst through on goal.4

Mathieu received his marching orders for this challenge on Aubameyang

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.The 27-year-old has overcome serious issues in the past, missing large chunks of his career with knee problems.This latest setback comes on the day he was named in Gareth Southgate’s latest England squad for the forthcoming games against the United States and Croatia.He was carried off the pitch following an awkward landing after he had beaten Sporting defender Bruno Gaspar to a header and it was clear he was in need of help.4

Welbeck left the pitch on a stretcher wearing a leg brace

The incident knocked the wind out of Arsenal’s sails but Welbeck’s replacement Aubameyang hit the crossbar as the visitors offered very little in terms of an attacking threat.But a 15th game unbeaten for Unai Emery’s side at least assured them of European football after the turn of the year with two group matches left to seal top spot.Arsenal enjoyed plenty of possession from the outset although the hosts were reduced to long-range efforts from Carl Jenkinson, again starting in the unfamiliar role of left-back, and youngster Emile Smith Rowe.Mathieu almost gifted Arsenal the lead as he diverted Matteo Guendouzi’s low cross towards his own goal before the ball was swept away. The game was then stopped for several minutes after Welbeck contested a header with Gaspar before appearing to suffer an ankle injury on landing.He required treatment on the pitch, including an oxygen mask and a leg brace, before he was taken off on a stretcher to be replaced by Aubameyang.Arsenal’s players, most notably Guendouzi, were clearly moved by seeing their team-mate in pain and the half did not really flow again.After the break, Aubameyang hit the crossbar within the opening minute as he turned Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s cross onto the frame of the goal.4

The visitors offered little going forward

The Gabon striker was certainly Arsenal’s liveliest attacking outlet and he sent another shot just wide of Renan Ribeiro’s goal as Arsenal looked to snatch the lead.Alex Iwobi also failed to hit the target with a decent chance as Sporting’s interim coach Tiago Fernandes turned to prolific forward Bas Dost from the bench in the hopes of leaving north London with three points.Emery readied young striker Eddie Nketiah for his first appearance of the season but was forced to instead bring on Ainsley Maitland-Niles as Stephan Lichtsteiner pulled up injured and had to be replaced.The game continued without any real chances of note, Mkhitaryan stabbing an Iwobi cross towards goal before Aubameyang saw an effort bravely blocked.4

Unai Emery’s men are unbeaten in their last 15 matches as they reach the Europa League knockouts with two games to spare

Aubameyang thought he had a late one-on-one to settle the contest but was fouled by Mathieu, who was shown a straight red card for the cynical trip.That was the last of the meaningful action as Arsenal failed to score for just the second time under Emery – but it will be Welbeck’s injury that dominates the fall-out.

---

Rice remained with Stax until the very end, when bankruptcy consumed the label in the mid-'70s; in fact, he was one of the company's last full-time employees. After the demise of Stax, Rice would reunite with Cropper at the guitarist's TMI studio. Although he never recaptured the chart success of his Stax days, Rice's catalog of songs have endured.

---

Callum Hudson-Odoi's remarkable season took another dramatic twist on Monday night when he was called into England's senior squad. The Chelsea winger left his home in London on Monday morning to
Callum Hudson-Odoi could go to Euro 2019 with England Under

---

Aguero has been pivotal to City's three title successes during his time at the Etihad Stadium and, with his goal against Fulham during yesterday's 2-0 victory at Craven Cottage, equalled a record belonging to the great Thierry Henry.
Who has the most hat-tricks in Premier League history? Aguero

---

Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey has been compared to former Chelsea winger Arjen Robben by the Bundesliga's official website, amid rumours that the Jamaican could join the Blues in the summer. He was linked with a move to the Premier League during the January transfer window.
Blues News | Who Is Leon Bailey? the 'Bundesliga Bolt' Wanted

---

Reaction from players and managers as Eden Hazard produces a superb display to help Chelsea beat West Ham. Homepage. out wide to Callum Hudson-Odoi. on for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has
Chelsea fans told they can't count on Ruben Loftus-Cheek

---

Gianluigi Buffon latest: Juventus and Italy legend considering emotional Parma return and Manchester United offer - reports Gianluigi Buffon has no shortage of offers following his release from Paris Saint-Germain. After just one season in the French capital, the veteran shot-stopper talkSPORT 3 days ago
Daniel James 'to get £67,000-a-week' at Manchester United

---

Wolves are leading the chase for Tammy Abraham as he prepares to cut short his loan spell with Aston Villa. The Molineux club are in talks over a £2million deal to sell defender Kortney Hause to
Tammy Abraham Talks Possible Chelsea Return Amid Aston Villa

---

Manchester United moved into the top four of the Premier League table with a 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Two goals from Paul Pogba and a superb solo effort from Anthony
Fulham 0 Man Utd 3: Paul Pogba tells Red Devils 'big teams

---

A message to Richard Keys - Rafa Benitez has more important things to spend his money on. Keys claimed Benitez should "spend some of his own money" to help Newcastle in the transfer window over
'Embarrassing' - Newcastle fans ridicule Richard Keys after

---

Unai Emery reminded doubters that Arsenal's Champions League hopes are still in the side's hands despite a 3-2 defeat to Crystal Palace. Arsenal succumbed to its first home league defeat since August on Sunday, with soft defending again a major factor.

---

Sunderland AFC transfer news: Youngster linked with Scottish switch after leaving Stadium of Light Lewis Morgan enjoyed a half-season stint on loan with the Black Cats last season, as the
Sunderland AFC news and transfers RECAP - Black Cats 'in

---

Yannick Bolasie has returned to Everton after the winger chose to cut short his loan at Aston Villa. The 29-year-old started only nine games for Villa after moving on loan from Goodison Park last
Everton winger Yannick Bolasie unlikely to regain squad place

---

Liverpool injury update: Mohamed Salah expected to be fit for Barcelona Champions League game, but Roberto Firmino is out The Brazil international missed the 3-2 win over Newcastle By Joe Coleman
Mohamed Salah injury: Update expected on whether Liverpool

---

Dietmar Hamann has claimed that Derby boss Frank Lampard "has lost the plot" over the Leeds 'spygate' scandal. Liverpool legend calls out Lampard over handling of Leeds spygate saga. Lampard laid into Leeds head coach Marcelo Bielsa after it was revealed that the Championship leaders had 'spied' on a Derby training session in the
Former Liverpool midfielder: Lampard 'has lost the plot

---