Arsenal stars joke around during final preparations for Red Star Belgrade tie as Olivier Giroud, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott eye Europa League starts

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Olivier Giroud, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott will all be hoping to start the Europa League clash with Red Star Belgrade on Thursday night. 

And the trio were part of the Arsenal squad put through their paces at the club's London Colney base ahead of the Emirates fixture — and the mood in the camp seemed confident with the squad enjoying a laugh during the session.

The players seemed to enjoy a game of ear-flicking, with Wilshere and Laurent Koscielny both on the receiving end of their team-mates' harmless fun.  

The Arsenal players were in high spirits, flicking each others' ears at the London Colney base 

Arsenal's Laurent Koscielny jokes around with Jack Wilshere during the training session

Wilshere, the Gunners midfielder, is expected to start for his side against Red Star Belgrade

Giroud, Walcott and Wilshere have all found Premier League action limited this season, and have had to settle for starts in cup competitions under Arsene Wenger.  

They are expected to start against their Serbian opponents in north London, and took part in training under the watchful eye of Wenger on Wednesday. 

Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey and Rob Holding were other players seen out on the training pitch, while their French manager seemed in high spirits. 

He even had time to show off his keepy-uppy skills while watching his players prepare for their European encounter.  

Meanwhile, Mathieu Debuchy could carve out a role for himself at centre-back after the Frenchman impressed as part of a back three on his return from injury, Wenger has said.

Theo Walcott is another out-of-favour player who could be handed a start at the Emirates 

Olivier Giroud shows off his keepy-uppy skills (right) at the club's training base on Wednesday 

Alexis Sanchez was also part of the squad put through their paces ahead of Thursday's clash 

The 32-year-old joined Arsenal as a right-back in 2014 but has made just 25 appearances across all competitions after being plagued with injuries.

Debuchy made his first appearance for Arsenal since November 2016 during last month's 1-0 win at Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League and played 120 minutes in last week's League Cup victory over Norwich City.

'We are all very pleased for him here because he has gone through some very difficult moments with setbacks,' Wenger is quoted as saying in the Evening Standard.

Arsenal's French manager Arsene Wenger has a chat with Welsh midfielder Aaron Ramsey 

There were plenty of tricks on show, with Walcott and Wenger both showing off their skills

'The fact that he got through 120 minutes the other night is a huge boost for him. He needs to recover now but from now on, he'll be a candidate to fight for the team places again.

'Maybe his future is as a centre-back. He has the attributes because he's very good in the air. You think he couldn't play centre-back because he's not tall, but if you look at the number of balls he wins in the air, it's impressive.'

Arsenal, who lead Europa League Group H, host Red Star Belgrade on Thursday before making the tough trip to face leaders Manchester City on Sunday. 

Hector Bellerin, the Gunners right back, prepares to kick the ball with his weaker left foot