Arsenal team news: Jack Wilshere, Theo Walcott and David Opsina in line to start as seven players sit out training

In contention | Wilshere last featured for Arsenal's first team in August 2016
David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images
James Olley13 September 2017

Arsene Wenger is set to ring the changes for Thursday night's Europa League opener against Cologne after seven players missed training this morning.

Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil, Alexandre Lacazette, Laurent Koscielny, Granit Xhaka, Petr Cech and Danny Welbeck all sat out this morning's part-open session at the club's London Colney training base.

Arsenal insist the septet are not injured but merely on a different programme, suggesting they are likely to sit out the Gunners' first game in Europe's second tier competition since losing the 2000 Uefa Cup Final on penalties to Galatasaray.

David Ospina, Jack Wilshere and Theo Walcott are in line for their first starts of the season as Wenger selects his team with one eye on Sunday's Premier League trip to champions Chelsea.

​Wenger had to convince Ospina to stay at the club having asked to leave in search of regular first-team football towards the end of last season but the Colombian is expected to be a fixture in Arsenal's Europa League team this term.

Wilshere last played for Arsenal 382 days ago prior to a season-long loan at Bournemouth which ended abruptly in April after sustaining a broken leg against Tottenham, and Wenger highlighted what he wants to see from the 25-year-old.

“First of all, to continue to work with the spirit he works,” said Wenger. “I believe as well there was always a huge pressure on him to come back as quickly as possible and to expect a lot.

“Overall, I think if he can combine the two, keep calm and focus on your job then he is on a good way for me. In training he is getting stronger and stronger every day and that’s what we want from him.

“He has been injured at the start of the season from last season, so he was a bit behind the others players but now he is getting better and better. Every game is an opportunity for him and this season is a good opportunity for him as well.”

The 25-year-old has since returned to full training and took part in this morning's session at London Colney.

Walcott has been a peripheral figure so far with Wenger preferring Danny Welbeck to partner of combination of two from Alexandre Lacazette, Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil.

Sanchez trained as usual with the rest of the group this morning but are not expected to feature in tomorrow's match day squad.