JACK’S BACK ON COURSE
Wenger praise for star
ARSENE WENGER believes the best is yet to come from Jack Wilshere after the injury-plagued midfielder reminded Arsenal of his talents.
Olivier Giroud scored his 100th goal for the club, Theo Walcott struck twice and there were encouraging performances from the youngsters selected in a second-string side.
But after picking apart the BATE defence at will as Arsenal ran in four goals in 49 minutes, all the talk was of Wilshere.
Wenger, who rested his big-name stars for Sunday’s clash with Brighton, said: “Jack had an outstanding first half.
“He is on a good way back to his best. He is at an age where a player normally gets to the best of his career.
Vintage
“He has only been stopped by a series of injuries and I just pray he is not hampered any more by problems.”
After just eight minutes it was Wilshere’s pass that enabled Walcott to flick a shot against the post.
Moments later, Wilshere played a one-two with Giroud and crossed perfectly for Walcott to convert at the second attempt.
Wilshere even found the net himself in the 17th minute but the assistant referee flagged Walcott offside in the build-up.
And while it was stunning stuff by Arsenal, BATE contributed to their own downfall.
Goalkeeper Denis Scherbitski’s attempted clearance in the 22nd minute fell to Walcott, who slotted the ball back past him for 2-0.
More good work from Wilshere three minutes later earned a corner which Per Mertesacker flicked on for young defender Rob Holding to flick in with his ankle. It wasn’t all good news and slaps on the back for Holding and the Arsenal defence, though.
They conceded a poor goal, Mirko Ivanic losing Mohamed Elneny to power in a fierce header to briefly reduce the deficit to 3-1.
Just four minutes after the break, Giroud’s moment came.
There was no appeal for a tug by Dragun on Skhodran Mustafi but the Polish referee pointed to the spot and Walcott, on a hat-trick, stepped back to allow Giroud to complete his century from the spot.
Giroud has come under fire from Gunners fans in his five-year stay. But he underlined his value by becoming the 12th fastest Arsenal player to reach the landmark, one game quicker than Robin van Persie.
Arsenal’s goal lived a charmed life before and after Giroud’s penalty, and BATE struck again in the 67th minute.
Poor marking, combined with a Holding slip, gave the hosts a glimmer of hope. Mirko Ivanic’s header was initially saved by David Ospina, but Mikhail Gordeychuk pounced. BATE BORISOV (4-2-3-1): Scherbitski; Rios, Gayduchik, Milunovic, Polyakov (M Volodko 24); A Volodko (Baga 85), Dragun; Gordeychuk, Ivanic, Stasevich; Rodionov (Signevich 55). Subs: Yablonski, Berezkin, Veremko, Tuominen. ARSENAL (3-4-3): Ospina; Holding, Mertesacker, Mustafi; Nelson (McGuane 79), Elneny, Willock (Nketiah 89), Maitland-Niles; Wilshere, Walcott, Giroud. Subs: Macey, Akpom, Da Silva, Dragomir, Gilmour. REFEREE: Daniel Stefanski (Poland).