Arsenal recorded a 3-0 win over BATE Borisov to earn qualification to the last 16 of the Europa League. It was a nice way to approach a fixture after losing in Belarus last Thursday.
Mesut Ozil made a start while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was deployed upfront in the absence of the suspended Alexandre Lacazette.
It did not take long before the hosts began to pose threats to the opposition with Alex Iwobi and Ozil coming close in the second and third minutes respectively.
A low ball from the byline by Stephan Lichtsteiner got to Iwobi but the Nigerian could not do more to stop a Scherbitski save. Ozil then followed with an attempt which was flicked over by a defender
Tensions arose shortly after as the visitors almost grabbed an equaliser if not for the quick intervention of Lichtsteiner who was well positioned to clear the ball off the line.
Unai Emery's men's consistency in attack later paid off close to halftime. It was a header from a corner by Shkodran Mustafi.
An injury to Laurent Koscielny in the 56th minute led to the introduction of Sokratis - the scorer of the third goal four minutes later. It was another header from another corner.
It is clear that what Emery practised with them in training yesterday yielded results tonight. The Spanish manager delivered crosses for them to score and even though they found it hard to convert, they were able to get the job done on the main front.
In the end, it was the North London side that had three goals, all three points, and a clean sheet. Supporters have since taken to Twitter to react.
The victory has revived Arsenal's hopes of getting silverware this season as they have already been knocked out of the Emirates FA Cup and Carabo Cup.
The campaign continues with a Premier League match with Southampton this Sunday to be followed by another with Bournemouth on Wednesday.
An injury to Laurent Koscielny in the 56th minute led to the introduction of Sokratis - the scorer of the third goal four minutes later. It was another header from another corner.
It is clear that what Emery practised with them in training yesterday yielded results tonight. The Spanish manager delivered crosses for them to score and even though they found it hard to convert, they were able to get the job done on the main front.
In the end, it was the North London side that had three goals, all three points, and a clean sheet. Supporters have since taken to Twitter to react.
Through to the next round of the Europa league and one point off the Top 4 despite 3 long term injuries and not hitting top form. F*ck the haters, @Arsenal season starts now 👍 #ARSBAT #AFC— Paul McG AFC ☘️© (@Afcpmg) February 21, 2019
Bellerin, Holding, Lacazette & Welbeck not even on the bench? What the fuck is Emery doing... 🙄#ARSBAT #Arsenal #EuropaLeague— Mr Fane 🏴 (@MrFane87) February 21, 2019
56' | Sokratis comes on to replace Koscielny— Goal (@goal) February 21, 2019
60' | Sokratis heads in Arsenal's third goal of the evening
😎#UEL #ARSBAT pic.twitter.com/zsmdEGFoEH
And they thought we were going to get knocked out by the Belarusian farmers 😂😂😂😂😂😂 #UEL #ARSBAT #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/CWypufovpI— Valor_Omega (@valor_omega) February 21, 2019
I wanna see some muthafukking love for Emery tonight. My man saw there was an issue with corners, worked on it in training and you've seen the results! For the shit he's taken this week he deserves credit! #ARSBAT #EuropaLeague #AFCvBATE— Gooner Eagle Eye (@ColossalChig) February 21, 2019
I know it’s only BATE but Iwobi and Mkhi have both been really bright on the ball so far tonight. #AFC #ARSBAT— Gunners.com (@Gunnersc0m) February 21, 2019
— Rupin Kale (@Vegansportlover) February 21, 2019
I FUCKING LOVE SOKRATIS MAN! So passionate, wants to play for the club & wants to achieve. He's such a warrior and vital to our defence now, love seeing him on the pitch! #COYG #WeAreTheArsenal #YaGunnersYa— Mike Peak (@NisenGeeza) February 21, 2019
The campaign continues with a Premier League match with Southampton this Sunday to be followed by another with Bournemouth on Wednesday.
0 Comments
Your comments are highly welcomed but please be informed that comments which include abusive remarks, hate speech, racial discriminatory remarks and any other form of prejudice are prohibited. Also note that comments visibility is subject to moderation so they will not show immediately.