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As it happenedended

FK Qarabag vs Arsenal - Europa League as it happened: Gunners young stars shine in 3-0 win

Look back on the live coverage of Qarabag vs Arsenal

Harry Latham-Coyle
Thursday 04 October 2018 18:18 BST
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Arsenal train ahead of Europa League tie against Qarabag

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Arsenal eased to Europa League victory against Qarabag on Thursday night - but they were far from their best in Baku.

Sokratis Papastathopoulos opened the scoring early on before the visitors had to withstand plenty of pressure until Emile Smith Rowe's first senior goal and a first for club for Matteo Guendouzi secured a 3-0 win which flattered Unai Emery's side.

The Arsenal head coach opted to bring the likes of Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Granit Xhaka on a near 5,000-mile round-trip despite a tricky visit to Fulham early on Sunday - but they were named on a strong bench at the Baku Olympic Stadium.

When is it?

Qarabag vs Arsenal is one of the early matches on Thursday 4 October.

When does it start?

Kick-off in Azerbaijan is at 17:55 BST.

Where can I watch it?

BT Sport will be showing live coverage on BT Sport 2 and online on the BT Sport app for customers.

Odds

Arsenal to win: 2/5

Qarabag to win: 8/1

Draw: 7/2

Arsenal are in their customary red and white; FK Qarabag are in black.

Qarabag get the game underway.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 17:57

1 minute

A bright start from Qarabag, with Gara Garayev winning the ball well in midfield, but a misplaced pass ends the attack.

They appear to be playing a 4-2-3-1 with Michel alongside Garayev and Filip Ozobic ahead of them.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 17:59

3 minutes

A first chance!

A prolonged spell of possession for Arsenal and Sead Kolasinac powers down the left, bullying his way into the box and feeding across. Vagner does well to parry clear but Arsenal win a corner.

Played short, deflected behind, another corner.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:00

THAT DIDN'T TAKE LONG! SOKRATIS GIVES ARSENAL THE LEAD!

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:01

An out-swinger from Mohamed Elneny finds Nacho Monreal rising high at the far post.

The Spaniard's header is on target but half-deflects off, half-is-deflected-in by Sokratis, wrong-footing Vagner and giving the visitors a perfect start.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:02

7 minutes

Arsenal look in control, with plenty of early touches for Elneny and Guendouzi in the centre of midfield. 

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:04

9 minutes

Better from Qarabag.

A lovely clip from Michel finds Innocent Emeghara making a nice run, who forces the corner off Sokratis.

Well-defended by Nacho Monreal.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:06

10 minutes

Big appeal by Innocent Emeghara as Rob Holding jostles with the Swiss forward in the box. The referee sees no foul despite his protestations and Arsenal have a goal-kick.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:07

11 minutes

An inauspicious start from Emile Smith Rowe as he is nutmegged in midfield. 

Qarabag are playing some nice football but they haven't been able to really threaten the Arsenal defence yet.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:08

13 minutes

The hosts are prepared to press, and are doing so effectively. 

Arsenal starting to give the ball away with more regularity than Unai Emery would like.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:10

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