Arsenal 0 Sporting CP 0: Welbeck injury sours Europa League stalemate

Arsenal booked their place in the Europa League knockout stages after a 0-0 draw with 10-man Sporting CP that was marred by an injury to Danny Welbeck.

The point – combined with Vorskla losing 1-0 to Qarabag – was enough to ensure a top-two place for the Gunners in Group E, but the performance left much to be desired.

A lack of fire power meant the few openings the Gunners were able to create went begging, while Sporting who had Jeremy Mathieu sent off late on  offered even less in the final third.

With Arsenal progressing despite a disappointing display, Welbeck s injury will be the main concern for Unai Emery and Gareth Southgate, who named the 27-year-old in his England squad earlier on Thursday.

After a lengthy delay, it s going to be a sad end t…