Arsenal won 4-2 over in Belarus and beating BATE BORISOV 3-0 at half time it looks like the Belarus champions season is well and truly over now so they only had pride to play for in the second half.
Arsenal started the second half in muted fashion with BATE looking like they wanted to go in hard, but we shrugged them off and a brilliant pass to Walcott on the wing saw him drive a cross into the box which was easily converted by a BATE defender (don’t ask me to spell their names lol) Arsenal were looking so comfortable it was embarrassing. 4-0 thanks to an own goal. As if Arsenal need any help!
Approaching the hour mark, Welbeck went through on his own but again failed to capitalise, and Giroud saw a shot go into the stands. BATE were getting into the Arsenal half more often as we slacked off and Ospina finally got some action when he took a goal kick! but we broke straight away and Walcott was taken down in the box. Giroud took it and scored brilliantly but he was forced to take it again. He put it in the same place but the goalkeeper guessed right and nearly stopped it but it was too powerful and suddenly Arsenal are 5-0 up with 25 minutes to go!
BATE were still spirited enough to attack, but with just one shot that went straight at Ospina. Wenger finally decided to make a change and took the captain for tonight, Theo Walcott, off and brought on Reiss Nelson. Wilshere was looking to score in the box but in the end picked out Elneny who curled it beautifully into the corner. 6-0 and still 15 mins to go! I backed 7-0 so the last 15 was always going to be interesting to me! Neketiah coming on for Welbeck was making me optimistic and Willock replaced Elneny.
Arsenal were totally in control but the Belarus champions refused to give up and were looking for a consolation but rarely looking really dangerous. Wilshere was taken down clinically just outside the box but I think the ref is feeling sorry for them so he plays on.
We got 2 minutes of extra time but Arsenal didn’t look like they were bothered any more…
Game over, and a very entertaining game it was!
Asdmin