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Wenger’s team news: Outcast gets shock recall vs Red Star, 18-year-old also starts

By on October 18, 2017

Mathieu Debuchy

Arsene Wenger has confirmed that Mathieu Debuchy is set for a shock recall against Red Star Belgrade while Josh Dasilva is also in-line to start our Europa League clash.

Debuchy made just one appearance for Arsenal last season and has been frozen out of the squad so far this campaign after failing to secure a move away from the club in the summer.

However, the former French international is set for a surprise call-up to the first team as Wenger has confirmed the 32-year-old will start against Belgrade tomorrow evening.

The boss also suggested that 18-year-old defender Dasilva will be given a rare chance to impress at the back with the teenager tipped to line-up alongside Rob Holding and Debuchy at the back.

With Shkodran Mustafi and Calum Chambers injured and Laurent Koscielny’s Achilles causing him problems it looks like Wenger has decided to protect Per Mertesacker and Nacho Monreal.

There will also be a surprise in goal as ‘cup keeper’ David Ospina hasn’t travelled so Petr Cech will keep his place while Olivier Giroud is set to come in for Alexander Lacazette up front.

It will be an inexperienced midfield as Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock and Ainsley Maitland-Niles are expected to start while Jack Wilshere will look to continue to build on his match fitness with another run out in the middle of the park.

Speaking at his press conference this evening, Wenger told reporters:

So it looks like it’s going to be a severely weakened side tomorrow evening with Wenger resting his key men ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Everton.

3 Comments

  1. Pingback: Arsenal outcast to start alongside 3 teenagers: Likely line-up v Red Star Belgrade | Arsenal Station | Arsenal FC News

  2. Segun Law

    October 19, 2017 at 12:48 am

    “Frozen out” is a rather strong term to use for a player who has been injured for a while now, as he himself confirmed a while back. He is the reason the club has not signed a proper backup for Bellerin.

    Debuchy may have his issues but to suggest his absence was for anything other than fitness is casting aspersions on the club’s player management responsibility.

  3. Pingback: Expected Arsenal XI: 25-year-old deployed in unfamiliar role + midfielder returns | Arsenal Station | Arsenal FC News

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