Paris: Jack Wilshere starred as Arsenal romped to a 6-0 thrashing of BATE Borisov at a half-empty Emirates Stadium in their final Europa League group game on Thursday, while Marseille booked their place in the last 32.

Arsene Wenger made 11 changes to the team that were beaten by Manchester United at the weekend, but the Frenchman’s second string put in promising displays to give him a 700th win as Arsenal manager.

After Mathieu Debuchy started the rout in the 11th minute and Theo Walcott tapped in, two minutes before the break Wilshere ended his Arsenal goal drought that dated back to the final day of the 2014-15 Premier League season.

A Denis Polyakov own goal made it four early in the second period, before Olivier Giroud scored his sixth goal this term from the penalty spot and Mohamed Elneny completed the rout with 16 minutes left.

Arsenal finished four points clear of Red Star Belgrade at the top of Group H, as the Serbs joined them in the knockout stage with 1-0 win over German side Cologne.

Cologne only needed a draw in Serbia to qualify after beating Arsenal last time out, but a Slavoljub Srnic goal upset their plans.

French side Marseille sealed their spot in Monday’s draw with a 0-0 draw against Salzburg to join the Austrians in progressing from Group I. Rudi Garcia’s team moved into the last 32 for the second straight season.

Agence France-Presse