Eagle-eyed Arsenal fans noticed something peculiar about the club’s latest squad photograph which was released ahead of their trip to BATE Borisov in the Europa League.
The side’s two highest-profile stars, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil, were missing from the picture as Arsene Wenger’s men posed in their new Cavallaro Napoli suits for the 2017/18 campaign.
Francis Coquelin is the only other surprise omission from the photograph – and the French midfielder is currently on the sidelines with a hamstring problem.
Both Sanchez and Ozil are out of contract at the Emirates next summer, and were linked with moves away from north London in the summer, but remained with Arsenal as the summer transfer window slammed shut.
Santi Cazorla, who has been out injured since last October, was not present at the shoot but this is probably to be expected – the Spaniard was not pictured in Arsenal’s official squad photo earlier this month.
Sanchez is expected to start for the Gunners versus BATE on Thursday night, while Ozil is set to remain in London as he works his way back to full fitness following a knee injury.
Ahead of the clash, Wenger said: ‘I have a decision to make and at the moment I would say that the schedule for us is a bit cruel.
‘We played tonight, we play in BATE Borisov on Thursday night and play Sunday at 12 o’clock here.
‘When you look at the schedule over the weekend I think there was some room for us to be scheduled differently.
‘But we have to accept it and we want to go to Borisov with a good team. I will go with a team of senior players and certainly with a young bench.’
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