Arsenal v BATE Review – Half time and its all over at 3-0 already!

Arsenal were set up to attack and they were obviously planning to go all out against a team that had only won 2 of their 32 away European games before today. The Gunners had a field day in the first leg, winning 4-2 over in Belarus and we were looking to score another hatful today.

We were on the front foot right from the start and were camped in their half from the start, and when the ball was dinked in to Walcott after ten mins it was no surprise that we scored except for the fact that Mathieu Debuchy was the one that drilled it in to the left hand side of the post to give Arsenal a confident lead.

After 20 minutes Danny Welbeck was put through on the wing when the goalkeeper came out and he had a great chance to get past him but kicked itstraight into him and it was a great chance wasted, but 5 minutes later Walcott missed an even better chance to make it two when it clipped the keepers boot.

2 minutes later Walcott took a great freekick but it slipped just wide of the post, and on our next attack Wilshere went down after an elbow from a defender but nothing was given. Wilshere made sure the referee knew he was unhappy about it though. Arsenal were well in control and BATE looked very rattled but defended aggressively but with no penetration into the Arsenal half.

Arsenal were totally in control and when Danny Welbeck did a weaving run into the box, he over-rand but the ball rolled nicely to Walcott who made no mistake and we were 2-0 up and the game looked over already, and Walcott nearly made it three just a couple of minutes later but he was denied by an excellent clearance off the line.

But with inevitable pressure it was obvious Arsenal were going to add to their tally, and just before half-time Wilshere was given an amazing amount of room in the penalty area and he scored his first goal for us in two and a half years. The game was over really at half time but the fans were definitely being entertained.

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6 Comments

  1. Great play very entertaining.
    Jacky boy absolute boss today, le coq / Xhaka can’t tell a difference (cough, $35 million) eveyone has looked up for it.
    AMN has earned a chance to play in PL, dude looks calm, composed, and so settled on the ball.
    Debuchy, dang dude, where you been?

    Only complaint is wanted to see Chambers/Holding pairing tested more today. Sounds funny i know, but many questions about those two.

    Lastly, bring Eddie on for Giroud and Reiss for Walcott and let the boys express themselves

    1. Yeah central defence has not been tested tonight.
      Chambers has impressed me with his threaded forward passes though.

      1. bear in mind BATE not great team ans nothing on the match… so kwts not get ahwad of ourselves.. but great to see goals flying in… keeps the 1st Xi squad on their toes…
        would be interesting to see Jack play instead of Xhaka.. let Xhaka get confidence back in the Carabao Cup and Fa Cup.. thats whole point of having a squad !

  2. I can’t see anything – just put on the radio for an update …what 5-0 and i found a £5 note on the floor today (makes no sense to you but means alot to me) in simple its turned out to be a good day. COYG

  3. BATE Borisov’s level is simply way below Arsenal’s, but the second squad were really flowing with the 4-2-3-1 formation. It was exciting to see the return of the players’ sharpness, such as Wilshere, Giroud, Walcott, Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Debuchy, etc.

    They did not have much pressure from the opponents, but it would be nice if this squad can push the first team players to perform. Because of his versatility, Wilshere could rotate with Sanchez, Ozil, Xhaka or Ramsey.

    Debuchy and Maitland-Niles can force Bellerin and Kolasinac to improve their performances. Welbeck can also compete with Lacazette. Arsenal would have a good depth to face Southampton.

    1. ..initially Belerin and Debuchy were meant to push each other for a first team spot – im happy for the frenchman to push for the first team (ie so long as he’s happy here). he’s been a french international so he ought to be useful. imo

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