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As it happenedended

Arsenal vs Vorskla Poltava - as it happened: Unai Emery makes winning start in Europa League

All the action from Arsenal's opening Group E fixture

Michael Jones
Thursday 20 September 2018 22:05 BST
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Arsenal 2018/19 Premier League profile

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Arsenal head into the Europa League in good hands under Unai Emery, who won the competition in three consecutive years as Sevilla manager. The Gunners will be hoping to improve on their performance in last year's competition, in which they were beaten in the semi-finals by Atletico Madrid.

Emery is expected to make several changes to his regular side, with Bernd Leno, Lucas Torreira, Mohamed Elneny and Stephan Lichtsteiner pushing for starts.

Their relatively unknown opponents, Vorskla Poltava, finished third in the Ukrainian top division last season and are competing in the Europa League group stage for the first time since 2011/12.

Follow live coverage below:


What time does it start?

The match kicks off at the Emirates at 8:00pm BST.

Where can I watch it?

BT Sport are showing live coverage on BT Sport 2 and on the BT Sport app to customers.

What are the odds?

Arsenal to win: 1/10

Vorskla Poltava to win: 33/1

Draw: 11/1

41 mins: Arsenal 1 - 0 Vorskla

Elneny brings Kulach down which allows Vorskla to move up the pitch, they try to slot Rebenok in on the left but Sokratis comes across and makes a diving challenge to cover the ball

Michael Jones20 September 2018 20:43

44 mins: Arsenal 1 - 0 Vorskla

Iwobi makes a great run into the box and tries to pull it back to Aubameyang. It's blocked out and Arsenal try to build from the back again. Holding passes the ball to Abameyang on the left wing, he runs forward cuts inside and fires a shot... that hits the post!

Michael Jones20 September 2018 20:46

Arsenal 1 - 0 Vorskla

It's been a rather lacklustre first half with Arsenal looking slow and methodical in most of their attacks. They do lead though thanks to a spectacular counter attack in which Iwobi and Aubameyang ran past the defence and combined to score a cracking goal. 

More intensity in the second could lead to more goals.

Michael Jones20 September 2018 20:49

SECOND HALF: Arsenal 1 - 0 Vorskla

Arsenal get the second half underway and win a throw in in Vorskla's area. 

Michael Jones20 September 2018 21:05

47 mins: Arsenal 1 - 0 Vorskla

Elneny wins the ball near his own box, he sens Iwobi down the left and the winger whips the ball into the box finding Mkhitaryan who sends the shot wide.

Michael Jones20 September 2018 21:07

47 mins: GOAL! Arsenal 2 - 0 Vorskla - Welbeck

Arsenal win the ball back immediately and Aubameyang sends Iwobi once again down the left hand side, he holds the ball up well before giving it to Mkhitaryan. He crosses the ball into the box and Danny Welbeck slots home a good header

Michael Jones20 September 2018 21:07

50 mins: Arsenal 2 - Vorskla

Leno hits the ball forward and Krachenko heads the ball backwards over his own defenders, Aubameyang runs onto the ball and takes it into the box he squares it looking for Welbeck but the goalscorer puts the ball wide with a diving effort on goal

Michael Jones20 September 2018 21:11

54 mins: Arsenal 2 - 0 Vorskla

Sokratis makes yet another great covering challenge at the back and stops a rare Vorskla attack, good work form the Arsenal centre-back 

Michael Jones20 September 2018 21:13

55 mins: GOAL! Arsenal 3 - 0 Vorskla - Aubameyang

Mkhitaryan recieves the ball in the centre of mid-field he runs into the space offered to him and gives it to Aubameyang who tries to return the pass but taps it too lightly. He's fortunate though as the ball is put past Dallku and Aubmeyang follows it up with a guided right-footed shot.

Michael Jones20 September 2018 21:14

56 mins: Arsenal 3 - 0 Vorskla

Aubameyang and Torreira are off for Arsenal, Ozil and Guendouzi are on

Michael Jones20 September 2018 21:19

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