Jump directly to the content
ORL FOR NOTHING

Arsenal include Jack Wilshere and frozen-out Mathieu Debuchy in Europa League squad but no place for injured Santi Cazorla

MATHIEU DEBUCHY and Jack Wilshere have been named in Arsenal's Europa League squad - but there is no place for Santi Cazorla.

The Gunners take part in Uefa’s second-tier tournament for the first time this season after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

 Jack Wilshere has been included in the Arsenal Europa League squad
6
Jack Wilshere has been included in the Arsenal Europa League squadCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Santi Cazorla been left out after failing to recover from injury
6
Santi Cazorla been left out after failing to recover from injuryCredit: Getty - Contributor

The inclusion of Debuchy is a surprise as the frozen-out full-back played just 16 minutes of Premier League football last season and was farmed out on loan to Bordeaux.

Hector Bellerin, Calum Chambers, Chiori Johnson and Tafari Moore are the other players able to operate at right-back in Arsene Wenger’s squad.

Wilshere is fighting his way back to fitness after another injury setback while on loan at Bournemouth last season.

The England international has a year left on his contract and Wenger has given the out-of-favour midfielder the chance to rescue his career at the Emirates.

Cazorla has not been included – the Spaniard has been out since October 2016 with an Achilles injury suffered in last season's Champions League win against Ludogorets.

The Spanish midfielder, 32, shared a video of himself on social media training as he works towards regaining full fitness.

 French defender Mathieu Debuchy got 16 minutes of Premier League football last term
6
French defender Mathieu Debuchy got 16 minutes of Premier League football last termCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Arsene Wenger will take part in the Europa League for the first time this season
6
Arsene Wenger will take part in the Europa League for the first time this seasonCredit: PA:Empics Sport
 Contract rebel Alexis Sanchez is also included
6
Contract rebel Alexis Sanchez is also includedCredit: Getty Images
 Mesut Ozil is also part of the Arsenal Europa League squad
6
Mesut Ozil is also part of the Arsenal Europa League squadCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Arsenal kick off their Europa League campaign against Bundesliga outfit Cologne, followed by group games against Bate Borisov and Red Star Belgrade.

After back-to-back defeats in the Premier League, the Gunners will look to get back to winning ways at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Topics