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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

29 minutes

The best part of half-an-hour gone and both sides will be relatively happy. Arsenal have the lead, but Qarabag have been on top without creating anything beyond that Madatov chance.

Arsenal haven't found even third gear, yet, you feel, but do have a 1-0 lead thanks to Sokratis' early goal.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:26

31 minutes

Handball by Filip Ozobic on the halfway line. For all the good football Qarabag have played the Croatian has been very quiet.

Emile Smith Rowe shows his pace chasing a ball in behind but can't beat Vagner who has done well to come out and get to the ball first.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:29

33 minutes

Davide Massa produces his yellow card for the first time tonight, with Maksim Medvedev rightly booked for dragging back Alex Iwobi.

Iwobi reacts and is perhaps a tad fortunate not to see yellow himself after pushing and tripping the Qarabag captain. Not really needed.

The free-kick comes to nothing.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:30

34 minutes

Matteo Guendouzi is briefly limping, but it appears there is no serious injury to the French midfielder.

Arsenal look relatively settled defensively - Sokratis particularly is marshalling things well.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:32

37 minutes

A bit of a lull in the game, Arsenal keeping the ball well but Qarabag's defensive structure standing up well.

They do force an opening, however, and again it is Sead Kolasinac at left-wing-back working into space. His cross is at an awkward height and Emile Smith Rowe can't get his volley on target.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:35

39 minutes

Another excellent save by Bernd Leno.

An errant shot from Ansi Agoli ricochets to FIlip Ozobic's feet and the Croatian's half volley is powerfully struck. Leno is again down quickly to block it and Sokratis reacts swiftly to clear the danger.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:36

40 minutes

Ansi Agoli is seeing a lot of the ball at left-back, and the Albanian lines up a rather-ambitious 35-yard drive from wide on the left.

Predictably it trickles wide. 

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:37

42 minutes

Both Emile Smith Rowe and Matteo Guendouzi have shots blocked well by Qarabag defenders. Again Sead Kolasinac is the one sparking attacks down the Arsenal left.

Rob Holding is booked for a handball after tumbling into the path of a pass. Good spot from the referee, that - Holding extended his arm to prevent Qarabag breaking in behind him. 

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:40

44 minutes

Lovely ball from Gara Garayev, curling a lofted pass onto Maksim Medvedev's chest but the Qarabag right-back lashes his volley into the side-netting.

Beginning to force some chances are the home team with half-time nearing.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:41

The clock ticks over to 45:00 and the referee blows his whistle. No additional time necessary.

Arsenal hold a slender 1-0 lead after Sokratis' fourth minute opener.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 18:43

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