Result :BATE Borisov 2-4 Arsenal

Date: 28 September 2017

Venue: Borisov Arena, Borisov, Belarus

In my last post, I predicted a 0-2 victory for Arsenal and I must admit, after seeing the line-up, I did not expect Arsenal to win by such a margin, I was going for a narrow 0-1 victory for the Gunners. But Wenger’s men easily blew off the Belarus champions in the first 25 minutes, racing to a 0-3 lead thanks to two goals from Theo Walcott and one from Rob Holding. Walcott could have easily added to Arsenal’s advantage in a dominant first half display but series of wasted opportunities and selfish play meant that Arsenal couldn’t increase their lead but instead conceded after Mirko Ivanic was able to guide the ball into the back of the net with his head following an initial save from Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina.

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Olivier Giroud scored his 100th goal in an Arsenal shirt in the second half of the encounter extending Arsenal’s lead to 1-4 before the host struck their second of the night and really began to threaten for a comeback. This win means that Arsenal are currently top of their Group H with 6 points and prepare for back to back meetings with Red Star Belgrade.
Jack Wilshere continued his comeback from injury with a hugely impressive 90 minutes display last night as he pulled the strings in the No 10 role and was responsible for everything good going forward in the game. Just eight minutes into the game, Wilshere slipped in a delightful through ball for Walcott but he was denied a goal by the post, but Walcott got his goal a minute later.

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Wilshere was creator for the goal as he delivered a fine cross to Walcott yet again, but this time he was able to slot it into the net at the second attempt. Walcott then extended the Gunners lead, thanks to a mistake from goalkeeper Denis Scherbitski who passed the ball to him in an attempt to find his teammate. Rob Holding then scored his first goal in an Arsenal shirt as he was able to bundle the ba over the line from a corner kick.

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3 goals to the good and the Arsenal players must have thought this is game over for the opposition but after Ivanic headed the ball past Ospina, they were made to think again. Giroud got the fourth of the night and his 100th Arsenal goal from the penalty spot as Stanislav Dragun appeared to have fouled Shkodran Mustafi, but replay suggested that the contact was rather minimal.
The home team pushed on and they were rewarded with their second goal in the 68th minute when Mikhail Gordeichuk volleyed the ball in from close range. This goal really spurred the BATE players into action as Arsenal was required to defend wave after wave of attacks from the home side but the Gunners stood firm and I would say were rather fortunate to come out with all 3-points. Victory in this game means that Arsenal have now won 5 in 6 games.
Arsenal will host newly promoted Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday in the English Premier League and will be hoping to continue their unbeaten run in all competitions.

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Arsenal Starting XI
Ospina; Shkodran Mustafi, Per Mertesacker, Rob Holding; Reiss Nelson, Mohamed Elneny, Joe Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles; Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud, Jack Wilshere.


BATE Borisov Starting XI
Denis Scherbitski; Alexei Rios, Vitali Gayduchik, Nemanja Milunovic, Denis Polyakov; Alksandr Volodko, Stanislav Dragun; Mikhail Gordejchuk, Mirko Ivanic, Igor Stasevich; Vitali Rodionov.

BATE Borisov	VS	Arsenal
38%	Ball Possession	62%
18	Shots	16
7	Shots On Target	7
3	Corner Kicks	5
77%	Accurate Passes %	86%
3	Yellow Cards	0
0	Red Cards	0

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