Image source, EPA

Arsenal head coach Unai Emery is Mr Europa League, having won it three times with Sevilla.

"Of course the first [thought] for us is to finish first in this group," he said,

"It is a very important match because they are second in the table and if we win, we are first in the group. That's our clear target.

"We want to find our focus in two ways - one is in this competition, which is very important for us. It's one way [to win] a title and get into the Champions League next year.

"They [Sporting] are a team with very good players, very good history, also in this competition."

Arsenal defenders Konstantinos Mavropanos, Laurent Koscielny and Nacho Monreal have all returned to training after groin, Achilles and hamstring injuries respectively, but will not feature today.

Koscielny has not played since getting injured early on in the Gunners' Europa League semi-final second leg in May, but Emery said he could return to action later this month.

"He's nearer, closer to being with us in the competitive games," said Emery. "He is feeling well and getting better every day.

"We're going to think after the international break how we can continue working and how he can start playing games."

Monreal has been unavailable for a month and Emery said he would not be rushed back.

"With Nacho we're in a very precautionary moment because we don't want to repeat the same injury," added Emery.

Former Liverpool defender Sebastian Coates and ex-Manchester United winger Nani featured for Sporting in their 2-1 Primeira Liga win over Santa Clara on Saturday.

The starting line-ups will be announced at about 19:00 GMT - maybe a bit before.

There's basically nothing to talk about from that half so here's some Arsenal build-up.

No need for any injury time in Belarus. Something has to happen in a game for there to be stoppage time.

Rangers teenager Glenn Middleton has put them 3-2 ahead at Spartak Moscow. Thriller.

Follow it here.

Image source, Reuters

Eden Hazard was only due to play 45 or 50 minutes today so he's running out of time to do something.

He spins into the box but the ball is cleared.

Luis Muriel has put five-time winners Sevilla 2-0 up at Akhisarspor now.

Image source, EPA

Ben, London: The pitch at Bate looks poor, ball bobbling all over. I expect poor ball control to lead to a goal or two.

Hopefully...

Olivier Giroud gets a head onto Eden Hazard's corner but it goes well wide. Bate keeper Denis Scherbitski acrobatically dived for it to make it feel closer than it was.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek, first time I've mentioned him, gets in behind the defence for a second but then two defenders team up to get the ball out for a corner.

Image source, EPA

Spartak Moscow are now drawing 2-2 with Rangers thanks to a Connor Goldson own goal.

Image source, Reuters

Oh, Emerson Palmieri has just shot miles wide from long range. That's something to report at least.

Eden Hazard drops a shoulder to go past one Bate defender but then loses it to another one.

I really wish I had more to tell you about this game.

Image source, Getty Images

I'm giving you more updates from that Rangers game at the moment, there's not loads happening in Belarus.

Emerson Palmieri puts in a cross from the left which young Bate keeper Denis Scherbitski holds.

Rangers are ahead against at Spartak Moscow, Daniel Candeias making it 2-1.

Follow it here.

Image source, Reuters

Not much excitement from Chelsea so far, but this fan is an admirer of their kit at least...

James A. Young: I, for one, really like the Chelsea FC third kit.

Eden Hazard tries to nutmeg Alex Hleb and loses possession of the ball.

Alex: Cannot understand why Mirko Ivanic is not starting for Bate, he is by far their best player.

That is next-level Bate Borisov knowledge

Lorenzo Melgarejo has just equalised for Spartak Moscow against Rangers.

Follow that one here.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Chelsea right-back Davide Zappacosta with a nice step-over but then just blasts his cross into a yellow jersey.