Welbeck injury overshadows Gunners’ Euro progress
ARSENAL qualified for the knockout stages of the Europa League with a goalless draw at home to 10-man Sporting Lisbon in a game overshadowed by a potentially serious ankle injury to England forward Danny Welbeck.
A victory for Qarabag against Vorskla Poltava meant this 0-0 draw was enough to secure the Gunners’ progress from Group E as Sporting had Jeremy Mathieu sent off late on for scything down Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as he burst through on goal.
Arsenal goalkeeper Petr Cech said: “They defended really well and we created half chances.
“We had a lot of possession. We did well to control the game andplaywellatthebackandthey didn’t have a lot of chances. It took us a while to open them up and this is the kind of game where you need to score. It’s disappointing not to score as we wanted to guarantee top spot.
“Danny’s looked like a serious injury which is not nice to see and our thoughts are with him and also Stephan (Lichtsteiner).
“At half-time we knew we were doing good, we just needed to push for the goal and maintain intensity. We had some good chances in the second half and close calls but unfortunately we couldn’t put it in the back of the net. We take the points and qualification for the next round.”
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 came 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.
The game was stopped for several minutes, Welbeck requiring treatment on the pitch, including an oxygen mask and a leg brace, before he was taken off on a stretcher.
Arsenal’s players were clearly moved by seeing their team-mate in such pain.
Welbeck’s replacement Aubameyang hit the crossbar as the visitors offered very little in terms of an attacking threat.
Unai Emery was forced to bring on Ainsley Maitland-Niles as Stephan Lichtsteiner pulled up injured and had to be replaced.
But a 15th game unbeaten for 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.