Arsenal Draw BATE Borisov In Europa League Round Of 32

By The Editor
on 17th December 2018

Arsenal drawn against BATE Borisov in Monday’s draw…

Arsenal will face BATE Borisov in the Europa League round of 32 following Monday’s draw in Nyon which sees us paired with the Belarusian side for the second time in two years.

BATE were drawn in our group last season and we dispatched of them rather convincingly, winning 4-2 in Belarus and closing the group with a 6-0 win.

It’s definitely one of the easiest draws we could’ve had given that a number of teams dropping down from the Champions League were available to us in the round of 32.

Shakhtar Donetsk were the most difficult side and avoiding them at this stage was key, though a club of our stature shouldn’t be fearing any side in this competition.

Reaching the semi-finals last season should mean that repeating that feat needs to be the target this term, though Emery will surely be looking to be the first manager to win the competition on four occasions.

Only two other managers have won the Europa League with two different clubs; Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez.

As the Premier League race for the top four heats up, this competition is certainly looking like out best route back into the Champions League.