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: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Arsenal shoots past Aleksandar Filipovic 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 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 21: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Arsenal shoots past Aleksandar Filipovic 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 Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

4. Mkhitaryan shows what he is worth

I have been highly critical of Henrikh Mkhitaryan since he arrived in north London almost a year ago. The Armenian was swapped for Alexis Sanchez, who was set to leave for nothing six months after, so I cannot really complain about what Arsenal get out of the former Manchester United winger. Nevertheless, for the most part, he has not delivered on expectation over the past year.

But that changed here. Now, let me be clear. BATE Borisov are not the kind of team to provide a stern test and truly offer a neat analysis of Mkhitaryan’s production. But you can only play what is in front of you, and Mkhitaryan was perhaps the Gunners’ most influential attacking player.

He created four chances, completed 100% of his dribbles, and whipped in numerous crosses into the six-yard box that caused serious difficulty for the Borisov defence. He was busy, creative, direct with the ball at his feet. This is what I wanted to see from him when he first arrived. Hopefully, he can now replicate this showing against better opposition.