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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

76 minutes

Rather meandering to a finish, this game. The hosts have ample attacking resources on the pitch and thus aren't pouring men forward, but Arsenal are happy enough with three defensive-minded midfielders in front of a solid four-man defence.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 19:30

THE FRENCH CONNECTION AND ARSENAL HAVE THREE! MATTEO GUENDOUZI ALSO HAS A FIRST GOAL FOR THE CLUB!

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 19:32

Alexandre Lacazette peels to the left and looks to cut inside. The French striker's path is blocked and he is forced to pass. Guendouzi has arrived well from midfield, shifts it out his feet and fires across the keeper to the far post from the right on the edge of the box.

It isn't particularly venomous but the keeper can't turn it away and Arsenal have the game wrapped up. 

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 19:34

82 minutes

Alexandre Lacazette looks lively and will fancy a goal here. A clever bit of skill to lay the ball off to Danny Welbeck but Qarabag recover and clear.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 19:36

84 minutes

Final change from the hosts. Simeon Slavchev of Bulgaria comes on for Gara Garayev. 

He's another with English connections - a solitary appearance on loan at Bolton Wanderers in 2015. 

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 19:38

85 minutes

Abdellah Zoubir nearly gets a consolation. The Frenchman has been good for Qarabag and forces Bernd Leno into a diving save high to his right to preserve the clean sheet.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 19:39

87 minutes

It could have been four.

Alexandre Lacazette bursts onto a wonderful long ball from Sokratis, calmly waits for Danny Welbeck to arrive and plays it into him, but Welbeck rather wildly lashes his shot over the bar when he should at least hit the target.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 19:41

89 minutes

More good play and another chance for Arsenal.

Matteo Guendouzi finds space for Mesut Ozil, the German crosses and Lacazette cuts across the ball but only manages to cannon the ball against a Qarabag defender.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 19:43

90 minutes

Three added minutes

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 19:44

90 + 2 minutes

A shot from 20 yards from Matteo Guendouzi is comfortably clear of the bar.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2018 19:45

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