Arsenal defeated BATE Borisov 2-4 at Borisov Arena on Thursday night. Theo Walcott's brace and a goal from Rob Holding and Olivier Giroud was just good enough for Arsene Wenger's side to outran BATE Borisov on the road. The home team attempted few chances in the attack and managed to respond with two goals from Mirko Ivanic and Mikhail Gordeychuk, but it wasn't enough to rescue them. Unlike their previous games, Arsenal was more coordinated in the encounter as they converted every chance they had in front of goal. The victory now puts Arsenal on top of Group H, while BATE Borisov is third with only just one point.
Here's a summary of the match.
BATE Borisov outlook
Starting XI and individual performance points: Goalkeeper - Denis Scherbitski (5.40). Defender - Aleksey Rios (seven points), Vitali Gayduchik (6.58), Nemanja Milunovic (5.80), Denis Polyakov (5.57). Midfielder - Aleksandr Volodko (6.71), Stanislav Dragun (5.72), Mikhail Gordeychuk (7.15), Mirko Ivanic (7.75), Igor Stasevich (7.37). Forward - Vitali Rodionov (5.88). Used substitutes - Dmitri Baga (six points), Nikolai Signevich (6.43), Maksim Volodko (six points).
Team's strength and weakness: Aleksandr Yermakovich's often lost possession to Arsenal, created few chances in the attack, though, they were strong at finishing.
Style of play: BATE Borisov played short and long passes with space.
They largely operated through the midfield.
Arsenal outlook
Starting XI and individual performance points: Goalkeeper - David Ospina (7.38). Defender - Per Mertesacker (6.56), Shkodran Mustafi (6.70), Rob Holding (7.53), Reiss Nelson (seven points), Ainsley Maitland-Niles (7.29). Midfielder - Mohamed Elneny (seven points), Joe Willock (7.48), Theo Walcott 9.90), Jack Wilshere (7.11).
Forward - Olivier Giroud (.74). Used substitutes - Eddie Nketiah (six points), Marcus McGuane (six points).
Team's strength and weakness: The Gunners often stole the ball from Borisov players and went on to set up goal bound chances in front of goal through set pieces, through balls, and long-range shots. Overall, they were good at scoring but committed some individual stumbles.
Style of play: Arsenal favored long thrusts and through balls. They held more possession on Borisov's half and launched attacks from the middle.
Man of the Match
Theo Walcott was solid in the encounter. His two goals apparently boasted Arsenal's momentum of securing crucial victory against a more tactical Borisov team. Impressively, Theo Walcott has scored three goals in his past two games. The Englishman completed seventy-two touches in the match.
Upcoming matches in Group H
Arsenal will face FK Crvena Zvezda on the road on Thursday 19 October, while BATE Borisov will once again play host to FC Cologne the same night.
