Arsenal vs BATE Borisov: 5 key players to make this easy

2. Denis Suarez

I dared to put him on the five key players list against Huddersfield and he came on as a sub and took eight touches. Although, being completely unbiased, those were eight pretty key touches, you know?

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Against BATE Borisov, it’s time. We can’t keep delaying his inauguration into the first team picture, the first team that is creating so few chances, which is exactly what he is here to fix. I would actually be quite surprised if the Spaniard is not in the starting XI in this one. The Europa League should be taken incredibly seriously, but he’ll have been here near three weeks when the match rolls around, and it’s time he gets in there and gets his chance.

Depending on the formation that Emery opts for, Suarez may find himself in a more serious state than ever before, as, without the presence of wingbacks, if we opt for a back four, he will be one of the only sources of chances on the day, which puts him flat up against the primary obstacle he is here to help us overcome.

I hate to take the mindset of “this is the kind of match you want for him, to help him get his feet underneath him,” but isn’t it just that? In Belarus or not, this is a match we should be controlling, and Suarez, if he can be a key piece of the puzzle, has the first block towards building his foundation at the club.

Finally, assuming this doesn’t work out, let’s talk No. 1.