Walcott scored a brace in the first 30 minutes as Arsenal trumped BATE 4-2 in their group H Europa League clash in Belarus.
The 28-year-old shot his team to a flying start as the visitors took the lead in the first 9 minutes when the English striker breezed past BATE’s defense to slot the ball far beyond the keeper’s reach.
Walcott scored the second goal in the 22nd minute while Rob Holding scored the third 3 minutes later as BATE’s defense completely lost composure. The host scored one for themselves in the 28th minute with a goal from Mirko Ivanic but Arsenal controlled the rest of the first half as the host still struggled to gain balance.
Oliver Giroud restored a 3 goal lead for the gunners when Arsenal was awarded a penalty in the 49th minute but BATE’s top striker Mickhail Gordeichuk reduced the lead to two in the 67th minute. The gunners will prepare for their Sunday afternoon clash with newly promoted Brighton & Hove Albion as they look to restore themselves to top-four level.
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