Unai Emery’s mission is simple; go one better than his predecessor’s semi-final finish last season. Arsene Wenger’s remarkable sojourn was cut short by eventual winners, Atletico Madrid. The Frenchman didn’t have it easy with the Champions League red-faced step-sister.
Arsenal have never won this competition. The closest they came was its predecessor, the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1970. In fact, the Gunners haven’t lifted any piece of continental silverware in a quarter of a century. Emery was brought on board to end such sort of drought.
However, according to the wagering market, the Gunners have an advantage owing to BATE’s poor record. Keep an eye on UEFA Online Odds to learn more about the latest predictions on both teams this season. Baha’s men have played around 50 Europa League (UEFA Cup) games and have lost more than half. They were beaten 3-1 at Stamford Bridge and 1-0 when Chelsea visited the Borisov Arena.
The Spaniard is a Europa League specialist. He achieved an unprecedented three successive titles from 2014 to 2016 at Sevilla. No manager has had it this good. Except a certain bareheaded Frenchman.
Emery’s made a majestic return to Europe second-choice competition. Arsenal enjoyed a near-perfect run in the group phase. They topped Group E at a canter, dropping points once in a 0-0 home draw against Sporting as a string of reserves and young prospects got a look. Most notably Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka.
Arsenal certainly have Champions League aspirations and winning Europe’s second-tier competition may just be their only route. Anything other than victory, however, may dent that prospect.
BATE are no pushover, though. Not with ex-Gunner Alexander Hleb still in his strides. Hleb, now 37, spent three years with the Gunners before jumping on the boat to Catalonia.
His Barysaw team is the most successful in Belarus, clinching the respective domestic league 14 times, 12 in succession. Such remarkable achievement should not be taken for granted.
To get here, BATE finished second in Group L, seven points behind winners Chelsea. The Belarusians picked up nine points, with equivalent number of goals scored and conceded. Nikolai Signevich is Alyaksey Baha’s goal threat. The forward notched three goals, twice against PAOK and once against MOL Vidi.
Arsenal showed no mercy when they faced them in last season’s group stage. Wenger’s men struck four times albeit shipped in two goals in Belarus. The North London side were ruthless in the corresponding fixture, with a six-star performance.
Verdict: Arsenal will have to put aside their indifferent domestic form when they travel to Belarus. Emery must avoid the temptation of playing a second-string side due to fixture pile-up.
In such scenario, a shock may just be on the horizon. A slim one-goal victory is enough for BATE who will desperately try to avoid conceding at the Emirates.
All things being equal, however, Arsenal will have a smooth sail.