BATE Borisov vs Arsenal - as it happened: Gunners see out erratic Europa League victory in Belarus
Re-live all the action from the Borisov Arena
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Arsenal head to Belarus for the second game of their Europa League campaign where they face BATE Borisov.
In attendance will be Aleksandr Hleb, the former Arsenal midfielder who spent four separate spells with the Belarusian champions, who has been pictured exchanging niceties with Arsene Wenger this week.
Those who won’t be there include Laurent Koscielny, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette who are among a host of senior players to be left at home for this long trip east.
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Here’s everything you need to know about the game…
What time does it start?
The game kicks off at 6pm (BST) at the Borisov Arena on Thursday 28 September.
Where can I watch it?
BT Sport 2 will be broadcasting the game. Alternatively, return to this page for updates from our live blog.
It's a big game for...
Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Arsene Wenger was glowing in his praise of the young midfielder ahead of this game, hinting that he will be given a place in the starting line-up for a second Europa League game running. “He has great quality, he can steal the ball without making fouls,” the Frenchman said. “I’m convinced he is ready to play. He has to improve a little bit on the concentration front because the demands of top level football don’t tolerate some lapses of concentration.” Can he impress his boss even more tonight?
Player to watch…
Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman has never fully convinced as a top quality forward since joining Arsenal in 2012. Now his position has been fully usurped by compatriot Alexandre Lacazette who already looks like a crowd favourite at the Emirates. But Giroud can still provide a top quality second option for the Gunners – and he has scored 99 goals for the club in his time there. A man with a point to prove, with a huge milestone in his sights against weak opposition… expect Giroud to be at the top of his game…
Form…
BATE Borisov: WWDWW
Arsenal: WWDWW
Odds…
BATE Borisov: 5/1
Draw: 16/5
Arsenal: 4/7
3 min: A standard start with both sides enjoying some brief passages of play. The hosts eventually find the space and time for a shot, with Milunovic letting loose with an ambitious but weak effort from outside the box. It's no trouble for Ospina.
6 min: BATE try their luck down the left flank and find their way into Arsenal's final third but Mertesacker is on hand to deal with the danger.
GOAL! BATE Borisov 0-1 Arsenal (Walcott, 10 min)
It may have been finish Walcott's finish but this was Jack Wilshere's goal. A quick one-two on the edge of the box saw the Englishman surge forward to the left-hand side touchline from where he cut the ball back across the goal mouth with a sublime lifted delivery. Walcott was on hand to do the rest and headed in from two yards out. Just the start they needed.
15 min: BATE are attempting to react to the early goal but seem to be struggling. The hosts look to catch their opposition on the break but a searching cross-field ball near the half-way line is easily intercepted by Arsenal's recovering men.
17 min: The ball is in the back of the net after Wilshere's tap-in but the flag goes up for offside. A close call. We'll have to see that one again.
Replays show Walcott, who played the ball across to Wilshere in front of goal, was in fact onside. No doubt Wenger will have something to say about that.
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