BATE Borisov vs Arsenal - as it happened: Gunners see out erratic Europa League victory in Belarus

Arsenal head to Belarus for the second game of their Europa League campaign where they face BATE Borisov.

In attendance will be Aleksandr Hleb, the former Arsenal midfielder who spent four separate spells with the Belarusian champions, who has been pictured exchanging niceties with Arsene Wenger this week.

Those who won’t be there include Laurent Koscielny, Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette who are among a host of senior players to be left at home for this long trip east.

Follow live updates from below...

Please allow a moment for the blog to load.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game…

What time does it start?

The game kicks off at 6pm (BST) at the Borisov Arena on Thursday 28 September.

Where can I watch it?

BT Sport 2 will be broadcasting the game. Alternatively, return to this page for updates from our live blog.

It's a big game for...

Ainsley Maitland-Niles. Arsene Wenger was glowing in his praise of the young midfielder ahead of this game, hinting that he will be given a place in the starting line-up for a second Europa League game running. “He has great quality, he can steal the ball without making fouls,” the Frenchman said. “I’m convinced he is ready to play. He has to improve a little bit on the concentration front because the demands of top level football don’t tolerate some lapses of concentration.” Can he impress his boss even more tonight?

Player to watch…

Olivier Giroud. The Frenchman has never fully convinced as a top quality forward since joining Arsenal in 2012. Now his position has been fully usurped by compatriot Alexandre Lacazette who already looks like a crowd favourite at the Emirates. But Giroud can still provide a top quality second option for the Gunners – and he has scored 99 goals for the club in his time there. A man with a point to prove, with a huge milestone in his sights against weak opposition… expect Giroud to be at the top of his game…

Form…

BATE Borisov: WWDWW

Arsenal: WWDWW

Odds…

BATE Borisov: 5/1

Draw: 16/5

Arsenal: 4/7