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ALEXANDRE LACAZETTE apologised after being sent off for a wild elbow in Arsenal's 1-0 defeat at BATE Borisov.

The Frenchman, 27, grew frustrated after seeing a goal disallowed and deservedly saw red for lashing out minutes later.

 Alexandre Lacazette lashed out with his elbow and deservedly saw red
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Alexandre Lacazette lashed out with his elbow and deservedly saw redCredit: BT Sport

Unai Emery's Gunners were well off the pace in Belarus when Lacazette thought he had found an equaliser, only the see the linesman had raised his flag.

And when Aleksandar Filipovic closed him down in the 85th minute, the striker lashed out with his elbow.

Lacazette will miss the second leg as his side try and overturn a one-goal deficit.

He said: "Letting the team down like that is the worst feeling. I should have stayed calm but it’s not always easy.

 Alexandre Lacazette had a goal ruled out before being sent off
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Alexandre Lacazette had a goal ruled out before being sent offCredit: Reuters
 Alexandre Lacazette earlier saw a goal chalked off
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Alexandre Lacazette earlier saw a goal chalked offCredit: AP:Associated Press

"There are still 90 minutes to play and I believe that my teammates will make it to the next round."

Arsenal struggled to get much going and went behind to Stanislaw Dragun's header before the break.

And despite piling forward, they could not find an equaliser against the European minnows.

Matteo Guendouzi punted the ball into touch in frustration as the match ended, with the hosts celebrating a hard-fought win.

 The Frenchman is likely to miss the second leg after seeing a straight red
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The Frenchman is likely to miss the second leg after seeing a straight red

The Gunners have the home leg on February 21 to make amends in what could be their best shot to reach the Champions League.

Lying fifth in the Premier League, Emery's side may struggle to qualify for the third year in a row unless they can go all the way in Europe.

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