Arsenal cruised to victory over BATE Borisov in their final Europa League group game as Arsene Wenger's fringe players made another case for Premier League involvement.

With top spot in Group H already assured, the Gunners made light work of the Belarusian champions in front of a record-low Emirates Stadium crowd.

While the official figure was 54,648 it is understood less than 30,000 fans were present to see Arsenal run riot with an emphatic and easy 6-0 win.

Mathieu Debuchy's second goal for the club got the ball rolling before Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere netted, with a Denis Polyakov own goal, an Olivier Giroud penalty and a fine Mohamed Elneny strike wrapping things up.

Arsenal will now fancy their chances as they progress to the last 32.
Arsenal's Mathieu Debuchy celebrates (
Image:
REUTERS)
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FULL TIME: Arsenal 6-0 BATE

Full time here, much to BATE’s delight. The Gunners have given them a good drubbing tonight and it will be along journey back to Belarus for them. Mathieu Debuchy opened the scored for the home side before Theo Walcott added a second. Jack Wilshere made it three before the break with his first goal in two-and-a-half years. An own goal after the break from BATE defender Denis Polyakov summed up the visitors evening. Olivier Giroud made it five from the penalty sot after Walcott went down i the box, before Mohamed Elneny curled home to finish it off. Arsenal go into the knockout stages as group leaders, whilst BATE exit the competition.

Arsenal's French striker Olivier Giroud celebrates with teammates (
Image:
Getty Images)
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GOAL! Arsenal 6-0 BATE

Mohamed Elneny makes it six for the Gunners who are running riot. Jack Wilshere again playing a part as he fed the ball into Elneny on the left hand side of the box before he curled it into the far corner.

Arsenal's Mohamed Elneny scores their sixth goal (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)
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GOAL! Arsenal 5-0 BATE

Olivier Giroud scores from the spot after Theo Walcott was fouled in the box. It’s turning into a rout at the Emirates.

Arsenal's Olivier Giroud scores their fifth goal from the penalty spot (
Image:
REUTERS)
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GOAL! Arsenal 4-0 BATE

Arsenal add another straight after the break. Jack Wilshere splits the defence with a great through ball for Theo Walcott who’s cross is turned into his own net by BATE defender Denis Polyakov.

Denis Polyakov scores an own goal and the fourth for Arsenal (
Image:
REUTERS)
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GOAL! Arsenal 3-0 BATE

Arsenal make it three! Jack Wilshere gets his first goal for Arsenal in two-and-a-half years. He received a pass from Walcott before shifting on to his left foot and firing across goal.

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Image:
Getty)
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GOAL! Arsenal 2-0 BATE

Theo Walcott doubles Arsenal’s advantage. A nice run by Danny Welbeck was thwarted by the BATE defence before Walcott picked up on the loose ball and slotted it past the ‘keeper.

Arsenal's English midfielder Theo Walcott celebrates scoring Arsenal's second goal (
Image:
Getty Images)
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Goal! Arsenal 1-0 BATE

Arsenal take the lead through an unlikely source as Mathieu Debuchy finds the net. Theo Walcott battled for the ball in the area and it fell into Debuchy’s path who struck it straight into the far corner.

Mathieu Debuchy scores a goal for Arsenal during the UEFA Europa League group H match between Arsenal FC and BATE Borisov (
Image:
Arsenal FC)

The players have arrived...

...which is a good job, as the game kicks off in 45 minutes.

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Image:
Stuart MacFarlane)
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Team news

We have our Arsenal team news, with Arsene Wenger making a host of changes from the side that lost to Manchester United at the weekend.

This is very-much a B-team which mixes youth and experience.

Here’s how the hosts will line up...

Arsenal : Ospina, Debuchy, Chambers, Holding, Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Coquelin, Wilshere, Walcott, Welbeck, Giroud

Subs : Macey, Sheaf, Nelson, Reine-Adelaide, Willock, Nketiah, Akpom

Greetings

Arsene Wenger insists his team selection will always reflect what is best for Arsenal.

The Gunners boss has been picking two different sides to compete in the Premier League and Europa League so far this season.

The likes of Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott, Olivier Giroud and Mohamed Elneny have mostly featured in Europe but been left on the sidelines in the battle for a top four finish in the league.

Wilshere, Walcott and Giroud have all spoken about their frustration at a lack of game time in the Premier League - with France striker Giroud currently being picked for his country as the England duo look like missing out on the World Cup at this moment.

But even Giroud, who is yet to start a league game this season, has been warned by Les Bleus assistant manager Guy Stephan that he needs to play more - even if Wenger feels the 31-year-old has had ample opportunity so far this campaign.

“They have to make their decisions, I have to make mine,” Wenger said of international managers.

“I cannot consider too much the interest of the national team, even if I support France. I can only play with 11 players and the players have to deal with that and so do I.

“Overall I try to give them competition, which is what they have had until now. But these are discussions I have had with the players. It’s part of it.”