Six goals were scored in Belarus as Arsenal defeated BATE Borisov in the Europa League. The Gunners went 3-0 up with a brace from Theo Walcott and a goal from Rob Holding before the home team reduced the scoreline to 3-1.

The game ended 4-2 in favour of Arsenal after Giroud scored Arsenal’s fourth after the restart and Borisov scored their 2nd to make for a nervy finish.

Second Fiddle, First Away

Ok. The wait was long. But finally, Arsenal’s first away win of the season came in far away Belarus. Wenger fielded a second fiddle team with youngsters like Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Maitland-Niles in the starting eleven. Metersacker captained the team and we saw Jack Wilshere again in an Arsenal shirt. Giroud and Walcott returned to the starting line-up. There was also room for debuts to Edward Nketiah and Marcus McGuane. Wonder why Chuba Akpom was not featured. Jack Wilshere was the man of the match for me but don’t look away from Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock. They are the future.

Shaky Backline

Arsenal conceded two goals I felt they could have prevented. The first was one that Ospina should have kept. He could have done better. The second introduced a nervy end to the game as the Gunners tired out. Musatfi looked weak and Metersacker is thinking of his next summer new job already.

Centurion Giroud

We waited for this 100th goal like the desert waits for its first rain in months. He missed the opportunity in the 1-0 win over Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup. He got less than 15 minutes against Westbrom on Sunday but converted the penalty to grab his 100th Arsenal goal.

He becomes the 19th Gunner to score 100 goals and is the 12th fastest player to do so in Arsenal – one game faster than Van Pierse. Hopefully he wins the 2017 Puskas award with that his scorpion kick goal.

Have you voted for him? Please do here now.

Emirates, here I come again.

Advertisement