Arsenal 1-0 Sporting LIVE! Xhaka goal – Europa League match stream, latest score and updates today
Arsenal are looking to secure their place in the Europa League quarter-finals as they host Sporting at the Emirates Stadium tonight. After a chaotic first leg in Portugal that ended 2-2, the Round of 16 is set and the Gunners will be looking for more control this time.
Since last week’s game, Mikel Arteta’s side have passed Fulham and remain five points clear at the top of the Premier League, while Gabriel Jesus came off the bench to celebrate his long-awaited return from injury. The Brazilian starts tonight for the first time since the World Cup while Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard fall to the Gunners’ bench.
Sporting were the clear winners themselves at the weekend and are fourth in the Primeira Liga. They drew against Tottenham on their last visit to north London in the Champions League earlier this season. Follow all the action on our LIVE blog below, with on-site expert analysis from Simon Collings.
live updates
37 minutes: Jesus causes a lot of problems for Sporting’s defence, floating around everywhere.
He’s involved again as the ball is played to Martinelli and gets through to Xhaka. Sporting half clear, back to white and then the offside flag goes up.
34 minutes: Nelson with a great run, plays the ball wide to Martinelli. He can’t quite pick out a cute pass in the middle.
The Sporting threat is still there, but Arsenal are now taking control fairly comfortably.
Simon Collings in the Emirates
There is no referee more entertaining than Lahoz.
There he showed his defensive skills with a perfect block when Arsenal tried to play a corner to the edge of the box.
31 minutes: Jesus looks really fit. In the penalty area, drifting away from tackles and getting the shot away, kept out of the near post.
He’s also there for the rebound but bounces off it and goes for a goal kick.
29 minutes: Clever Arsenal corner routine ruined by a wonderful ref save. Blocked Zinchenko.
Athletic break, Edwards on the left foot, but the shot is blocked. It suddenly became very consistent, which Arteta doesn’t want to say. This man likes control.
27 minutes: Jesus with room to drive in the Sporting defense and that’s what he’s doing.
Played far to Zinchenko, he slips into Martinelli. Attempts to kick the ball over the goal will be deflected back to the corner.
23 minutes: Jesus down in the box, more penalty appeals… Offside!
The Brazilian was past the last man so VAR doesn’t have to take this potential foul into account. Apparently there was also contact.
Simon Collings in the Emirates
Another injury for Arsenal as Saliba is out this time. After this goal, the mood suddenly disappears from the Emirates.
Immediately followed by bad news for the Gunners, Saliba hobbles away with an injury. Hold on to replace him.
Two unfortunate injuries for Arsenal in the space of 20 minutes.
GOAL! Arsenal 1-0 Sporting | Granit Xhaka 19′
ARSENAL TAKES THE LEAD!
Her first good period of the game and she brought the opening goal.
Martinelli played on the left, his shot is saved but the rebound falls for Xhaka and he slams it into the net.