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BATE Borisov 2-4 Arsenal: Wenger Makes Good Use of Squad Depth

BATE Borisov 2-4 Arsenal

Match Report – Match Highlights – Post-Match Press Conference

The start to the new campaign was quite tumultuous but Arsene Wenger has done his bit to steady the ship with two wins and a creditable draw at Stamford Bridge in the last three Premier League games. With half an eye on Sunday’s lunch time kickoff against Brighton Hove and Albion, it was evident that he was going to rest a host of players ahead of the Europa League tie against BATE Borisov.

There were pictures that surfaced online before the game, showing ex-BATE and Arsenal player, Aliaksandr Hleb, catching up with the squad and taking a selfie with his former boss. Hleb was one of those players that made a great impact in the squad, being an integral part of that fantastic four midfield that challenged for the league in the 2007/08 season. Many would regard his departure to Barcelona as a terrible mistake as his career went downhill, but these things happen.

David Ospina rightly took his place in goal and with Calum Chambers still injured, Skhodran Mustafi retained his place in the defense alongside club captain, Per Mertesacker and upcoming youngster, Rob Holding completing the back three. The midfield quarter was made up of youngsters like Joe Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson, with Mo Elneny providing the much-needed experience. Hector Bellerin was badly in need of a breather and with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain gone to Liverpool’s bench, Carl Jenkinson out on loan and Matt Debuchy clearly out of favor, it seems like the way has been paved for Reiss Nelson to deputize in Bellerin’s stead. Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott played behind Olivier Giroud that was still in search of his century of goals at the club.

The Gunners started the game on the front foot and finally got the lead their play deserved when Wilshere connected with Giroud before cutting the ball back from the byline. The lofted ball was headed goalwards by Walcott but Scherbitski made a superb save. Fortunately for the English winger, he was on hand to tap in the rebound. If there was some difficulty about the game’s opener, there were no problems with Arsenal’s second goal as a defensive error from the BATE Borisov defense left Walcott clear on goal with the goalie and he wasted no time in smashing in his second of the night.

The game was turning into a rout for Arsenal as Holding reacted fast to Mertesacker’s knockdown from a corner kick to score his first Arsenal goal. Three goals up and the Gunners were cruising but BATE got a goal back through their star attacking midfielder, Ivanic. Arsenal extended their lead from the penalty spot through Giroud, and it turned out to be an emotional moment for him as he joined the elite league of Arsenal forwards to score 100 goals for the club.

Say what you want about Giroud, but he has matured a lot from that young forward in Montpellier to his bearded bloke that has popped up with really important goals for his team. A defensive error from Holding saw Gordeichuk pull one back for BATE but Arsenal had Ospina to thank for keeping the scoreline at bay as the Colombian shot stopper worked overtime with a plethora of important saves.

In the end if was a satisfying result against a team the Gunners had never played before and with many star names rested, the Gunners will be fresh for their encounter against Brighton on Sunday.