Arsene Wenger right to rest Arsenal stars for Europa League ties, says Red Star Belgrade boss Vladan Milojevic

  • Vladan Milojevic says Arsene Wenger is balancing his Arsenal squad well
  • Wenger has given squad players a chance to impress in the Europa League
  • Milojevic says giving young stars a chance will be 'important' for Arsenal's future

Red Star Belgrade boss Vladan Milojevic has backed Arsene Wenger's decision to rest his key players in this season's Europa League.

The Serbian SuperLiga side face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday night looking to take a positive result and keep their hopes of progressing from Group H alive.


Arsenal will qualify for the round of 32 if they can repeat their victory in Belgrade a fortnight ago, where an Olivier Giroud goal settled the game in favour of the visitors.

Red Star Belgrade players train at the Emirates Stadium ahead of their tie against Arsenal

Red Star Belgrade players train at the Emirates Stadium ahead of their tie against Arsenal

Head coach Vladan Milojevic says Arsenal are right to rest star players in the Europa League

Head coach Vladan Milojevic says Arsenal are right to rest star players in the Europa League

Giroud, as well as the likes of Theo Walcott, Jack Wilshere and Petr Cech played at the Rajko Mitic Stadium alongside a host of fringe players and youngsters as Wenger continues to shuffle his pack.

Players such as Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez are being saved for Premier League action - particularly with a trip to pacesetters Manchester City on Sunday - and Milojevic insists he is not disappointed that his side will not be tested against Arsenal's biggest names.

Arsene Wenger has used a large squad to his advantage in the Europa League this season

Arsene Wenger has used a large squad to his advantage in the Europa League this season

Jack Wilshere has been given a starring role in Europa League games for Arsenal this season

Jack Wilshere has been given a starring role in Europa League games for Arsenal this season

'I think last time after the first match in Belgrade, the Arsenal squad proved it is much bigger than ours and they have quality players and they all deserve to play in the first team,' he said.

'Arsene Wenger knows his players, I don't want to interfere in is job - they are playing in four different competitions.

'They have shown they have a big roster of players, such high-quality players and Arsene Wenger is looking to the future and he is balancing young players with experienced players.

'These young players can get lots of experiences in the Europa League and I can understand that he will give chances to them. That is important for their future.

'They showed in Belgrade they are such a strong team but I think we can still play our own game, compete with them.'

Promising youngster Reiss Nelson is getting experience in the first team in the Europa League

Promising youngster Reiss Nelson is getting experience in the first team in the Europa League

Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Debuchy have both benefited from time in the Europa League

Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Debuchy have both benefited from time in the Europa League

Red Star have won their three league matches since their narrow defeat to Arsenal in Belgrade and sit top of the league.

But Milojevic is keen for his players to continue testing themselves against clubs such as Arsenal.

Asked about Arsenal's European record, the former defender replied: 'You think I am scared about anything?

'No, I'm not afraid of anything, this is football. If I was scared ahead of this match I would change my job and wouldn't be here.

'My players need these kind of matches, the ideal would be to play these matches every week because you can grow and be a big player but on the other hand I'm glad this generation of Red Star Belgrade players have done a job to bring the club to the Emirates Stadium.

'Arsenal is one of the best football clubs in the world, we will play our best - this is football and anything is possible.' 

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