With consummate ease, Arsenal completed their Europa League group programme with a comprehensive demolition of BATE at the Emirates.

It was all too easy for Arsene Wenger's men and the team from Belarus must have been grateful that Arsenal fielded very much a shadow team in keeping with his selection policy.

But Wenger could still call upon the class of Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott . Walcott was on for 70 minutes and in that time he dismantled the left flank of the BATE defence.

Wilshere conducted the game from midfield despite BATE's efforts to subdue him. With Olivier Giroud and Danny Welbeck providing the thrust in attack, it was all too easy.

Giroud celebrates Arsenal's fifth (
Image:
REUTERS)
The Gunners ended the group stage with a big win (
Image:
REUTERS)

The ones who missed out were the 20,000-plus who bought tickets but were no-shows. It was decent entertainment.

Here are five talking points from the Emirates.

Is Wenger right to stick with his shadow squad for the Europa League?

Wenger put out a second-choice XI (
Image:
Matthew Lewis)

Of course. True, most of the team tonight will have faced stiffer opposition in a training match. But it is game time all the same. There was something of an edge to it in what was in all honesty a quasi-competitive affair. But the likes of Mathieu Debuchy will have a role to play in the months to come and he can only be sharper for the run-out. Great strike for the opening goal.

Is Wilshere close to contention for Premier League involvement ?

Jack Wilshere put in a good shift (
Image:
Getty Images)

Absolutely. Wilshere was nimble on his feet, perceptive in his passing and he struck a superb goal. BATE could not handle him. Wilshere will have more problems on an ice-skating rink than he had tonight. Surely Wenger must find place for him. Maybe Gareth Southgate as well.

Can Welbeck go to Russia next summer?

Eyes on the prize: Welbeck will be hoping to go to the World Cup (
Image:
David Price)

Possibly. Injuries have disrupted his season and he is still somewhat ring-rusty. But Welbeck is getting there and soon Wenger will have a decision to make. A fit Welbeck adds power and athleticism to the Arsenal front line. And they will also be invaluable assets to Southgate.

Is Walcott in shape for a first team place on a regular basis?

Walcott celebrates scoring the second goal (
Image:
REUTERS)

He must be on the brink. He was irresistible against the team from Belarus but in all honesty, that is not saying too much. BATE were lacking – lacking in skill, in pace, in defensive know-how and in attack. But Walcott showed no mercy. He was a persistent torment. The Walcott of old in many ways.

Will Holding and Chambers fulfil the immense promise they showed when they joined?

Chambers helped the Gunners achieve a clean sheet (
Image:
Matthew Lewis)

We will probably have to wait to the pair in tandem against more testing opposition. Someone like Leyton Orient reserves maybe. But what they had to do, they did well. A pity that BATE did not have a front man to give them more of a work-out. The pair have potential. Now that promise has t be fulfilled.

poll loading

Will Arsenal win the Europa League?

33000+ VOTES SO FAR