Welbeck blow for Arsenal; Giroud strikes for Chelsea
Arsenal booked a place in the Europa League knockout stage and extended their unbeaten run to 15 matches despite a 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon on Thursday, while Olivier Giroud’s first goal of the season sent Chelsea through.
But Arsenal striker Danny Welbeck, given a rare start just hours after being named in Gareth Southgate’s England squad, had to be stretchered down the tunnel with what looked a nasty ankle injury in the first half.
Arsenal midfielders Matteo Guendouzi and Aaron Ramsey were both visibly upset after Welbeck went down after jumping to win a header.
“It is mentally challenging (playing after a teammate is injured) but sometimes it comes with the game, and Danny has had a lot of injuries,” Alex Iwobi said. “We wish him the best and will keep on encouraging and motivating him to get back.”
Chelsea, meanwhile, made it four wins from four matches in Group L by edging out a spirited BATE Borisov 1-0 in Belarus.
Giroud ended his 11-game goal drought by giving Chelsea a 53rd-minute lead, and the Premier League giants held on despite BATE striking the woodwork three times in the match.
PARIS:
Rapid Vienna 0 Villarreal 0 Spartak Moscow 4 Rangers 3 Apollon Limassol 2 Eintracht 3 Lazio 2 Marseille 1 Genk 1 Besiktas 1 Malmo 1 Sarpsborg 1 Akhisar Velediyespor 2 Sevilla 3 Krasnodar 2 Standard Liege 1 Dynamo Kiev 3 Rennes 1 FC Astana 2 Jablonec 1 BATE Borisov 0 Chelsea 1 Vidi 1 PAOK 0