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YOUNG GUNS

Arsenal fly out for Europa League clash with BATE Borisov with surprising amount of youngsters

Academy stars such as Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and Chuba Akpom all flew out from Luton Airport for Thursday's match in Belarus

ARSENAL are poised to field a number of youngsters in their Europa League encounter with BATE Borisov on Thursday.

Arsene Wenger is set to start a mixture of first team players and academy stars after a number of Steve Gatting's U-23 side were on the plane to Belarus.

 Arsenal in training on Wednesday ahead of their Europa League clash with BATE Borisov on Thursday
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Arsenal in training on Wednesday ahead of their Europa League clash with BATE Borisov on ThursdayCredit: Reuters
 A number of youngsters were present in training today as they look for valuable minutes
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A number of youngsters were present in training today as they look for valuable minutesCredit: Reuters
 Chuba Akpom has flown out from Luton Airport to Belarus as part of the first team squad
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Chuba Akpom has flown out from Luton Airport to Belarus as part of the first team squadCredit: Reuters

Prospects such as Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and Josh DaSilva  - all on the fringes of the Gunners squad - flew out from Luton Airport on Wednesday afternoon.

They were joined by ex-Brighton loanee Chuba Akpom, goalkeeper Matt Macey and midfielder Marcus McGuane.

While Charlie Dragomir and Charlie Gilmour - yet to make their debut for Arsenal - could also feature for the FA Cup champions against BATE.

Mesut Ozil, Sead Kolasinac and Alex Iwobi were notable absentees from training today, with Wenger keeping one eye on Sunday's early fixture against the Seagulls.

The legendary Frenchman said: "We play in BATE Borisov on Thursday night and play Sunday morning at 12 o’clock here.

“So we look at the schedule over the weekend, we think there was some room for us to be different. But we have to accept it and we want to go to Borisov with a team.

 Joe Willock and Marcus McGuane was on the plane to face BATE Borisov
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Joe Willock and Marcus McGuane was on the plane to face BATE BorisovCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah could feature for the Gunners in the upcoming Europa League match
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Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah could feature for the Gunners in the upcoming Europa League matchCredit: Getty - Contributor
 Theo Walcott is in line to start for Arsene Wenger's side on Thursday
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Theo Walcott is in line to start for Arsene Wenger's side on ThursdayCredit: Getty - Contributor
 German centre-back Shkodran Mustafi could be included in the starting XI for Arsenal
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German centre-back Shkodran Mustafi could be included in the starting XI for ArsenalCredit: Getty - Contributor

"I will go with a team of senior players and certainly with a young bench."

Oliver Giroud - one goal away from 100 strikes for Arsenal - is set to start, alongside Jack Wilshere who is still striving for game time.

Shkodran Mustafi, Theo Walcott and Mohamed Elneny could all be included in the starting XI, while Alexis Sanchez could drop to the bench.

 English midfielder Jack Wilshere is looking to start against the Belarusian side
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English midfielder Jack Wilshere is looking to start against the Belarusian sideCredit: Reuters
 Olivier Giroud has been stuck on 99 goals for Arsenal since the opening weekend of the new Premier League season
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Olivier Giroud has been stuck on 99 goals for Arsenal since the opening weekend of the new Premier League seasonCredit: Reuters
 Arsene Wenger is set to field a number of youngsters against BATE Borisov
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Arsene Wenger is set to field a number of youngsters against BATE BorisovCredit: Reuters

The North London side are looking for back-to-back wins in the Europa League this season after a convincing 3-1 victory against Cologne two weeks ago.

Goals from Kolasinac, Sanchez and Hector Bellerin ensured all three points against the Germans as they came from behind to win at the Emirates.

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