Arsenal extended their winning run to 11 games as they secured a narrow win over Sporting CP in the UEFA Europa League. After a drab first half, the Gunners capitalised on a defensive error in the second half to grind out a hard-fought win.
Danny Welbeck scored the only goal of the match as Sporting were left ruing their lack of attacking potency as they failed to trouble the Gunners backline.
Arsenal player ratings vs Sporting
Bernd Leno (6.5/10): Had absolutely nothing to do as Sporting failed to muster a single shot on target despite racking up more shots (15) than Arsenal (14). He looked composed on the ball and will be happy to have kept his second clean sheet in his third Europa League fixture this season.
Stephan Lichtsteiner (6/10): It was a forgettable evening for Stephan Lichtsteiner who struggled to keep up with Marcus Acuna on the right flank. He also failed to offer anything in the attacking third as Arsenal struggled to breach a resolute Sporting defence.
Sokratis (7/10): Looked wobbly throughout the course of the first half and was very lucky not to be penalised when he held the shirt of Fredy Montero, just when he was about to break free. However, he significantly improved in the second half, ending up with three tackles and five clearances while winning two aerial duels.
Rob Holding (7.5/10): Holding was by far Arsenal’s defender in the first half of play as he seemed composed on the ball while making a couple of solid tackles. He made more clearances (7) than anyone else on the pitch.
Granit Xhaka (7.5/10): Played in an unfamiliar left-back position for the injury stricken. But, he was hardly troubled, largely due to Sporting’s inability in providing a great deal of threat from the left flank. It was their right-sided overload which forced Lichtsteiner to struggle, leaving Xhaka free in the process.
Aaron Ramsey (7.5/10): After a disappointing first-half display, Ramsey grew into the game in the second half, creating a few key opportunities. However, he lacked adequate support from his teammates for large periods of the game in an otherwise impressive performance.
Matteo Guendouzi (8.5/10): A good display from Matteo Guendouzi who showed his proficiency in orchestrating the play with sound passing. Indeed, he circulated the possession with ease and played a key role as Arsenal managed to dominate their opposition in midfield.
He attempted 82 passes with an astonishing accuracy of 93% while also chipping in with a couple of key passes as well as clearances, making him the most influential player for the visitors.
Mohamed Elneny (6/10): Despite being deployed in a central midfield position, Elneny wandered around the final third for the most part of the game. But, he provided very little creativity and spark going forward and was rightfully subbed off around the hour mark.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (5/10): By far the most ineffective attacker for Arsenal in the game, Mkhitaryan struggled to create anything of note. He was listless in the final third, providing a host of sloppy passes which even ruined a couple of glaring attacking moments.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (7.5/10): Did whatever he possibly could in terms of creating chances for himself as he lacked the necessary service from his teammates. Pulled off a couple of neat flicks and won a few fouls in dangerous positions while his raw pace also forced Sporting into defending deeper.
Danny Welbeck (8/10): Looked menacing whenever he got onto the ball and utilised his pace and movement to cause problems. He also appeared tireless in pressing phases and deserved the goal later in the second half.
Substitutes
Lucas Torreira (7.5/10): Replaced the ineffective Elneny around the hour mark and made an instant impact. He supported the efforts of his midfielder partner Guendouzi, unlike Elneny which in turn allowed the likes of Ramsey more freedom in the final third.
Alexandre Lacazette (NA)
Alex Iwobi (NA)
Stat courtesy: Whoscored
