Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs BATE Borisov: 5 things we learned – Mesut Ozil returns

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal celebrates his team's first goal, an own goal scored by Zakhar Volkov of FC BATE during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 21: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal celebrates his team's first goal, an own goal scored by Zakhar Volkov of FC BATE during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal celebrates his team’s first goal, an own goal scored by Zakhar Volkov of FC BATE during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Unai Emery, Manager of Arsenal celebrates his team’s first goal, an own goal scored by Zakhar Volkov of FC BATE during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

Arsenal hosted BATE Borisov in the second leg of the Europa League Round of 32 tie needing to overturn a one-goal deficit on Thursday night. Here are five things we learned from the 3-0 victory.

Arsenal eased past BATE Borisov in professional fashion on Thursday night, overhauling a one-goal deficit after a damning first-leg defeat. The disparity in quality was clear, but it was still a fine performance from the Gunners who needed to be alert and creative to ensure the victory and see themselves into the final 16 of a very winnable competition.

Find the latest episode of the Pain in the Arsenal Podcast here — Huddersfield, abuse and a difficult question

Here are five things we learned from the 3-0 win.

LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Nemanja Milic of FC BATE is challenged by Nacho Monreal of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Nemanja Milic of FC BATE is challenged by Nacho Monreal of Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 Second Leg match between Arsenal and BATE Borisov at Emirates Stadium on February 21, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

5. Kolasinac, Maitland-Niles not trusted

Unai Emery switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation, playing with a flat back four and one centre-forward. It is no surprise that Arsenal immediately looked more balanced cohesive. But the shape comprises two traditional full-backs, rather than the hybrid wing-back roles of the 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 that had been utilised in recent weeks.

At both positions, Emery made changes, dropping Sead Kolasinac for Nacho Monreal on the left and swapping Ainsley Maitland-Niles for the much-maligned Stephan Lichtsteiner on the right. In a game that needed goals, Emery dropped the two more attacking full-backs for the two more defensive full-backs. It may seem like a strange move but it is indicative of the lack of trust he has in Kolasinac and Maitland-Niles.

Both have been defensively vulnerable at times this season and the slightly more reserved full-back position does not naturally suit either. There were questions over whether Emery would give them time to try and adapt to the role, but his decision to drop both suggests that he will not be so patient. Arsenal were still able to attack well through the full-back areas, so it didn’t hurt them all that much, but the team selection was telling for the potential futures of Maitland-Niles and Kolasinac.