BATE vs Arsenal
Europa League 2018-19 | Round of 32, first leg
Venue: Borisov Arena, Belarus
Date: Thursday, February 14, 2019
Kick-off: 5:55pm GMT
Unai Emery and Arsenal are back in Europa League action this week as the Gunners travel to Belarus for the first leg of their last-32 knockout tie against BATE Borisov.
Arsenal were knocked out in the semi-finals of last season's competition by eventual winners Atletico Madrid, but in Emery they have a true Europa specialist at the helm.
The Spanish coach won three back-to-back Europa League trophies between 2014 and 2016, and will be confident that he has a squad capable of adding a fourth to his honours list this year.
Arsenal team news and predicted line-up
Emery is expected to once again rotate his squad for European action, but may be forced to rely upon a first-choice defence given a host of injuries to his back line.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos (ankle) is still out of action, while Hector Bellerin and Rob Holding (both knee) have been ruled out for the rest of the season along with Danny Welbeck (ankle).
Granit Xhaka (hip) is unlikely to play, while Aaron Ramsey (knee) and Mesut Ozil (illness) are doubts.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (illness) is expected to be available, and Denis Suarez could make his full debut for the club.
Arsenal XI: Cech, Mavropanos, Mustafi, Lichtsteiner, Elneny, Willock, Suarez, Nketiah, Saka, Mkhitaryan, Lacazette
Score prediction: BATE 1-3 Arsenal
BATE currently sit top of the Belarusian Premier League, but Arsenal will fully expect to pick up a first-leg victory.
Emery's squad players have the chance to impress on Thursday, and with the Gunners still in the hunt for a top-four finish, the potential reward of a regular starting role - and the promise of a Europa cup run - should be enough to ensure focused minds.
BATE vs Arsenal tickets
Tickets for Arsenal fans are currently sold out.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds (90 minutes only)
- BATE to win: 11/2
- Draw: 18/5
- Arsenal to win: 2/5
First goalscorer odds
- Mesut Ozil: 8/1
- Henrikh Mkhitaryan: 5/1
- Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang: 23/10
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 2.
BT Sport subscribers will be able to stream the match online via the video player and the BT Sport app.
Head to Head history and results (h2h)
The sides have faced each other twice before in the 2017-18 Europa League group stages, with Arsenal beating BATE 4-2 away and 6-0 at home.
