Chuba Akpom Benched As Arsenal See Off BATE In Europa League

Arsenal won on the road for the first time in the 2017-2018 season, beating  FC BATE Borisov 4-2 in a Europa League encounter held at the Borisov Arena, Barysaw on Thursday evening.

Despite manager Arsene Wenger heavily rotating his squad, Super Eagles hopeful Chuba Akpom remained an unused substitute for the third time in all competitions this season.

On nine minutes, Theo Walcott gave Arsenal the lead, scoring from close range after his header was saved, then the England international grabbed his second after a goalkeeping gaffe by Denis Scherbitski.

Arsenal went 3-0 up inside twenty-five minutes, thanks to Rob Holding's tap-in, his first goal since his transfer from Bolton Wanderers in July 2016, and Olivier Giroud became the 19th player to score 100 goals for the club when he converted a spot kick three minutes out of intermission.

Mirko Ivanic and Mikhail Gordeychuk scored for the Belarusian champions in the 28th and 67th minute respectively.

Alex Iwobi did not travel with the Gunners squad to Belarus due to injury, while Tolaji Bola and Aaron Eyoma also remained in the English capital.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : arsenal.com