Arsenal travel to Belarus to play BATE Borisov tonight in the Europa League last-32. The Gunners must endure sub-zero temperatures for tonight’s game as they play the 15-time Belarusian champions.
Manager Unai Emery has received an injury boost ahead of the first leg fixture as two key players will return to the squad.
BATE Borisov vs. Arsenal: Unai Emery gets injury boost for Europa League game
Emery’s squad selection is proof the Gunners are targetting a big win in Belarus as he has picked a strong team.
The manager has included midfielder Granit Xhaka and striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Both players missed Arsenal’s game at the weekend against Huddersfield.
The manager will not be able to call upon Mesut Ozil, Aaron Ramsey, and Sokratis as all three have been left out of Thursday night’s team due to illness and injuries.
According to Emery, the players they didn’t bring have not been able to train regularly.
Can Arsenal win against BATE?
The two teams met in last season’s Europa League with Arsenal outscoring BATE over the course of 180 minutes, 10-2.
Arsenal are heavy favourites, according to leading sportsbooks. Despite the bitterly cold weather that awaits the Gunners, they have a great opportunity to take one step closer to the last-16.
Sportsbooks have Arsenal as the second favourite to win the Europa League behind Chelsea. Emery has plenty of experience in the tournament having won it previously with Sevilla.
Arsenal completed the Europa League group stage with an unbeaten record. They were one of seven teams to complete the feat.
Emery has watched his team keep a clean sheet in five straight Europa League matches. Supporters will hope the club can make it six straight and push their record against BATE to three wins from three games.