Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has selected a host of youngsters in his squad for the Gunners’ UEFA Europa League clash against BATE Borisov in Belarus, according to a report on the Evening Standard.
The Frenchman had already confirmed that he would have a young bench for the fixture, which he described as “cruel” as his side face three matches in just six days.
Charlie Gilmour and Vlad Dragomir were surprise inclusions as they were pictured boarding the Arsenal plane alongside the likes of Chuba Akpom, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson, Joe Willock, Matt Macey and Josh DaSilva.
Majority of these youngsters will be hoping to feature during the game but even if they do not, it will be a valuable experience for them all.
Among the senior figures, there is Jack Wilshere, who is expected to start. The Gunners will clock 2800 miles to play against BATE, who are the champions of the Belarus league.
Wenger has been critical over the fixture list which his side have been given and is not the only manager who has complained.
Fellow Premier League manager Jose Mourinho has also been openly critical about the closeness of fixtures given and both managers are clearly unhappy with the situation.
