With Alexandre Lacazette set to be out through injury for six weeks and new signing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang not eligible to participate in the Europa League, Wenger will have to start Danny Welbeck.
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The France worldwide underwent an arthroscopy on his left knee on Tuesday, with the Gunners understanding the minor operation to have been “a success”.
In addition to this, Arsenal were rocked by the news that Lacazette is set to miss the next four to six weeks with an injury.
Lacazette subbed in for the Gunners in the 65th minute of their 1-0 loss Saturday to Tottenham at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
Arsene Wenger’s side have been inconsistent throughout the current campaign, whose only hope of making a Champions League place for next season looks to be through winning the Europa League. Over the weekend we have no game. “It’s important our players keep at the competitive level”.
Wenger could yet be accused of being ill-prepared for the threat of Ostersund, a side who came into existence one month after he took the reins at Arsenal in 1996.
Fellow transfer window signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan is available for selection after moving from Manchester United as Jose Mourinho’s side are still in the Champions League.
“In some ways I know where you are coming from in terms of the small team against the big team, absolutely”, he said when asked to compare the tie to an FA Cup match.
He has noted that Arsenal want to win the competition regardless of their position in the Premier League.
The game will be played in temperatures expected to be a few degrees below freezing, but Wenger said he was more anxious about the artificial surface.
“It’s a massive blow but we have to find a solution”, Wenger said.
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Arsenal may need to succeed in the Europa League to return to European football’s top table, and Kevin Hatchard doesn’t believe plucky Ostersunds can prevent their progress. Fine goalkeeping will have played a part, but many will argue Arsenal are not being ruthless enough with the opportunities they are creating.
