Arsenal v Bate Borisov: Emery Confirms Return Of Two Players For Clash

Arsenal manager Unai Emery has confirmed that two players are back in the squad for the clash with BATE Borisov in the Europa League on Thursday evening.

The Gunners have been in erratic form in recent weeks and that continued last Thursday as they suffered an unexpected 1-0 loss away to BATE Borisov in the first leg of the Europa League tie.

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The Arsenal boss was forced to rotate his team once again due to injury issues with a number of key players currently serving time on the sidelines.

Not involved in the trip to Belarus last week was Aaron Ramsey, who recently agreed to sign an expensive deal to join Juventus in the summer.

Apart from the Welshman, Sokratis has also been out of the team in recent games due to an injury he suffered in the FA Cup defeat to Manchester United.

Ahead of the important clash with BATE Borisov on Thursday, Emery has confirmed that the Gunners will now be welcoming back the duo into the team.

“Yes, they are coming back with the team in the squad, Sokratis and Aaron Ramsey.” the Arsenal manager said.

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It is still unclear whether Ramsey will be handed a start but Sokratis, in particular, will be needed at all costs with much of Arsenal's backline currently out of form.

Arsenal Vs Bate Borisov Head To Head

1. Arsenal will host BATE Borisov in European competition for a second time, having beaten them 6-0 in last season’s group stage at the Emirates.
2. Including qualifiers, Belarusian sides have lost three of their four previous visits to English clubs in the UEFA Europa League; the other was won by BATE Borisov away at Everton in December 2009.
3. Arsenal haven’t failed to score in both legs of a two-legged tie in European competition since the European Supercup final in February 1995, when they followed up a goalless draw at home to Milan with a 0-2 defeat away from home.
4. BATE Borisov have won each of their last three Europa League games; they had only won two of their previous 16 in the competition beforehand (D5 L9, excluding qualifiers).
5. Igor Stasevich, who assisted BATE’s winning goal in the first leg against Arsenal, has at least three more assists (seven) than any other player in the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League.