Arsenal pummeled BATE Borisov tonight in a match our opponents needed to win to try and qualify out of the group.
The Belarussians travelled to the Emirates knowing anything less than a win would mean that they failed to make the knock-out rounds of the competition, but our side refused to roll over despite having already cemented their place as group winners in their previous outing.
Our manager opted to field a very strong line-up including Olivier Giroud, Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Danny Welbeck, which guaranteed that we were going to be putting our opponents defence under pressure throughout.
And our boys did not let us down, opening the scoring just after the 10 minute mark through a delightful Mathieu Debuchy strike.
Debuchy with a cracking strike from the corner of the box to give Arsenal the lead against BATE. 1-0 pic.twitter.com/1xbFALnnsi
— Terje (@xArsenalTerje) December 7, 2017
Theo Walcott added to the two goals he scored against BATE in the reversed tie, and the goal was more than he deserved after a fine display, in which I would definitely give him the Man of the Match award.
Walcott scores Arsenal’s second. #afc pic.twitter.com/nswmSsAPo8
— Arsenal (@AFCvideosHD_) December 7, 2017
Jack Wilshere joined the party just before half-time after some fine passing in and between our rivals.
Wilshere smashes home Arsenal's third pic.twitter.com/oLTSauMDpO
— Terje (@xArsenalTerje) December 7, 2017
We didn’t have to wait long for the second-half to get going either, although Danny Welbeck would much rather the ball had passed the goalscoring defender so he could have added his name to the long list.
Polyakov with an own goal to make it 4-0 Arsenal pic.twitter.com/LjCJBvnVgF
— Terje (@xArsenalTerje) December 7, 2017
Olivier Giroud added penultimate goal, although the referee forced him to retake his initial top-corner finish thanks to his stuttered run confusing both sides players to enter the box early, and his second attempt only just beat the goalkeeper inside the left-hand post.
Giroud makes it 5-0 from the spot. Forced to retake the penalty, but scores both times pic.twitter.com/dQEnaev8no
— Terje (@xArsenalTerje) December 7, 2017
Mohamed Elneny put the icing on the cake with a sublime bending effort just inside the box.
Elneny with a brilliantly curled finish. 6-0 Arsenal pic.twitter.com/SWNDoxtcId
— Terje (@xArsenalTerje) December 7, 2017
Many inexperienced players entered the field following the last goal, but unfortunately none could pile further misery on Borisov.
Which goal is your favourite?
Pat J
Wilshere was MoM by far what a performance by little jack carzorla