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Red Star boss backs Arsene Wenger's Europa League rotation policy for Arsenal

Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic  insists his side can compete with Arsenal
Image: Red Star coach Vladan Milojevic insists his side can compete with Arsenal

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

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

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

Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette and Alexis Sanchez are being saved ahead of the Sky Live Super Sunday trip to Manchester City - and Milojevic said he is not disappointed by that news.

"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.

BELGRADE, SERBIA - OCTOBER 19: Olivier Giroud (C) of Arsenal celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Europa League group H match between Crvena Zve
Image: Olivier Giroud scored the only goal of the game in Belgrade a fortnight ago

"Arsene Wenger knows his players, I don't want to interfere in his 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.

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"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."

Reiss Nelson impressed with his performance on Thursday
Image: Reiss Nelson (right) was another Arsenal youngster who impressed in Belgrade

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

Milojevic added: "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."

Don't forget you can watch Manchester City v Arsenal on Sky Sports Premier League channel from 13:00 on Sunday, 5 November with kick-off at 14.15.

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