Arsenal omit seven key players from first-team squad for Koln clash; with an eye on Chelsea clash

North London giant Arsenal will rest about seven key players as manager Arsene Wenger prepares to go by his own words that the UEFA Europa League would take a backseat.

Czech international Petr Cech, Frenchman Laurent Koscielny, England star Danny Welbeck, German Mesut Ozil, Welsh Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka were all missing from Arsenal’s training session on Wednesday morning; they were rested as the French tactician prioritizes the English Premier League over the Europa league which is Uefa’s second-tier competition.

This is indeed the first time in Wenger’s 17 years reign that has played outside the UEFA Champions League and that season at least saw him take the Gunners to the Uefa Cup final.

While Wenger’s men lost that final to Turkish giant Galatasaray, it looks certain now that the Arsenal boss is taking an almost English League Cup approach to the UEFA Europa league and saving his first-team players for the knockout stages of the continental competition.

Of course, should the Emirate club fail to progress then it will be a further embarrassment for Wenger that has been under increasing pressure at the club.

But equally, handing a period of rest to his best legs is likely the best way to help the team return to the UEFA Champions League as they chase a top four spot at the end of the season.

Wenger’s men are confident of making it through Group H after being drawn against BATE Borisov, Crvena Zvezda, and Koln.

Bundesliga side Koln are favourites to join Arsenal in the knockout stage.