Lacazette Sent Off as Bate Stun Disappointing Arsenal in Europa League Showdown

By Daily Sports on February 15, 2019

Arsenal slumped to a disappointing first leg defeat against Bate Borisov in the Europa League last 32.

Stanislav Dragun nodded home Igor Stasevich’s free-kick for the game’s only goal just before half-time.

Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette had a goal disallowed early in the second half before being sent off for elbowing Aleksandar Filipovic.

A resolute Bate held on for the win, their first over an English side at home in European competition.

The Belarusian champions will now take a slender lead to Emirates Stadium for the second leg next Thursday.

It was no more than Bate deserved as Arsenal faded quickly after a bright start on a bumpy pitch and sub-zero conditions in Belarus.

Aliaksei Baga’s side were playing their first competitive match since December and doggedly held on to their lead in the second half.

Arsenal, in contrast, managed just three shots on target despite enjoying nearly 77% possession.

Arsenal away struggles continue

Unai Emery will have hoped the resumption of the Europa League would have given his side some momentum after an inconsistent few weeks.

The Gunners’ final Europa League group game against FK Qarabag in December extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to 22 games. But since then Emery’s side have lost six out of 13 matches, going out of both domestic cups in the process.

Emery responded to that patchy form by naming a strong side for the game in Belarus, showing just two changes from the team that won at Huddersfield last weekend.

There was early promise as Henrikh Mkhitaryan drew a smart stop from Denis Scherbitski within 90 seconds. Further chances for Lacazette and Alex Iwobi followed, but the Gunners quickly deteriorated.

Bate Borisov, meanwhile, are effectively in pre-season having not have not played a competitive game since their final Europa League group game two months ago. His free-kick from the right found the head of Dragun, who had evaded marker Sead Kolasinac and powered a header beyond Petr Cech.

Even the second half introduction of top scorer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and January signing Denis Suarez failed to spark a response from Arsenal.

Their misery was compounded when Lacazette needlessly lashed out at Filipovic and was deservedly sent off, with the Gunners suffering a fifth defeat in eight away games in all competitions. (BBC)

•Photo shows Arsenal players

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 15, 2019


 

You may also like...
Batshuayi's Late Goal Gives Chelsea Victory At Ajax...

Australian Boxer Dies After Training Session

Fabregas ‘stronger than ever’ since losing Chelsea starting...

Drogba to succeed Emenalo at Chelsea

Chelsea Secure Controversial Win over Cardiff as fans...

Atletico star sentenced to 31 days of community...

 

Latest News Sundowns face fatigue, travel nightmare ahead Remo clash Nigeria loses 2030 Commonwealth Games bid to India Explainer: How Super Eagles can secure World Cup ticket through play-offs Ever-present Bassey shines in World Cup qualifiers Super Eagles to face Gabon in World Cup play-offs 160 students for 2nd EOCF Unified Sports WCQ: Keep hope alive, Tinubu urges Super Eagles after 4-0 win Glover to oversee CAHB, IHF election I’m proud of my players – Chelle 2025 Georgian Cup holds in Kaduna Eagles have good chance in play-offs – Odegbami Super Eagles qualify for 2026 World Cup playoffs

 

Most Read Rangers International going, going . . . (63,245 views) Amaju Pinnick: A cat with nine lives (54,440 views) Second Term: Amaju Pinnick, Other NFF Heavyweights Home to Roost •How Pinnick Broke the Jinx (52,393 views) Current issues in Nigerian sports: Matters arising (52,000 views) Sports Development: Zenith Bank on the zenith (51,995 views) Missing $150,000 IAAF Grant: Solomon Dalung’s Hide and Seek game (51,959 views) Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje’s solid footprints, commitment to sports development in Kano State (51,785 views) NFF Presidency: Pinnick, Maigari, Ogunjobi, Okoye in Battle for Supremacy (51,369 views) Olopade, BET9A wave of revolution in NNL (50,485 views) Commonwealth Games 2018: Shame of Muhammadu Buhari, Solomon Dalung (49,027 views) Ibrahimovic’s Man U exit: Whose decision is it? And in whose interest? (47,464 views) John Mikel Obi: Segun Odegbami’s Outrageous Call! (46,926 views)

 

Phone numbers

Tel: +234(0)8066020976
+234(0)8055068145
+234(0)7013416146
+234(0)8094272884

Email addresses

info@dailysportsng.com
support@dailysportsng.com
publisher@dailysportsng.com

Office address

No 3, Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja Lagos.
Website: www.dailysportsng.com

Social Media