Experienced side to play in Europa tie
Many would forgive Arsene Wenger for selecting an entire youth side XI for Arsenal’s Europa League clash with BATE Borisov tonight but that isn’t entirely the case. When speaking before the match he has stated that some senior players are in need of game time ahead of a busy schedule. Wenger said:
“I have many players available who need competition. We go next week again into a week with three games. Some experienced players need competition so we will play quite an experienced team.”
It is expected that senior players Theo Walcott and Jack Wilshere could feature from the start, among others.
Cazorla to ‘start again from zero’
Arsene Wenger admitted the news following Santi Cazorla’s latest surgery is sad. Cazorla has been hoping to return to action in the new year but now has suffered a further set back.
“[following the surgery] I sent him a message and wished him well. He answered, ‘Look I have to start again from zero,’ basically. And it’s very sad, honestly. What he has gone through, this guy, is unbelievable. It’s really, really sad. But unfortunately, he has to start again from zero. That means if all goes well, he has to wait until he can run. And after, when he starts to run, it will at least take six weeks to come back to training. When he will be able to start to run again, I don’t know.”
When speaking on if Cazorla will ever be ready to return to the Arsenal side Wenger did not seem confident, saying: “I hope so, but certainly not before February now.”
Trio of youth sign for future
Youth prospects Eddie Nketiah, Matt Macey and Ben Sheaf have all signed new contracts with Arsenal after featuring for the senior side this season. Nketiah has made four appearances for the first team, three in the Europa League and once in the Carabao Cup. Macey has established himself as the third choice keeper behind Cech and Ospina and has made two starts this season. Sheaf has had limited minutes so far but is seen to have a bright future at the club
Ramsey’s assist was intentional
It was a remarkable touch by Aaron Ramsey to assist Lacazette but there was much debate over if he meant it or it was fortune. In a recent interview the Welsh midfielder set the record straight.
“I was going to take a touch but out of the corner of my eye I saw De Gea coming out, Lacazette was up there so I just knocked it back to him. Hopefully that puts an end to that debate.”
Ramsey has been in very good form this season with three goals and six assists in the league this season.
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