ARSENAL goalkeeper Alex Runarsson has been axed by Mikel Arteta for the knockout stages of the Europa League.
The Gunners were forced to cut one non-homegrown player out of their squad for the knockout rounds to make way for their new signings.
Arsenal have left Alex Runarsson out of their Europa League squadCredit: Kevin Quigley-The Daily Mail
Summer arrival Runarsson was part of Arsenal’s squad for the group stages of the competition.
The Iceland star, who deputised for Bernd Leno after his red card in the 2-1 defeat to Wolves, even played in four Europa League games last year.
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Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli, Mat Ryan and Martin Odegaard have since been added to the group ahead of the last-32 tie against Benfica.
Brazilian starlet Martinelli missed out on the original squad in the group stages due to injury but has since returned to full fitness.
Despite being under 21 years of age, the attacker has not been with Arsenal for two years and so doesn’t count as homegrown.
Former Brighton ace Ryan and Real Madrid loanee Odegaard have taken the spots vacated by Sead Kolasinac and Shkodran Mustafi’s exits.
As expected, Hector Bellerin, Gabriel Magalhaes, Rob Holding, Cedric Soares, Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari, Kieran Tierney and David Luiz are the first-teamers named in defence.
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are named on the B-list to join Dani Ceballos, Willian, Thomas Partey, Granit Xhaka and Mohamed Elneny.
Arsenal’s Europa League Squad
Goalkeepers: Bernd Leno, Mat Ryan, Karl Hein, James Hillson, Arthur Okwonko
Defenders: Hector Bellerin, Gabriel, Rob Holding, Cedric, Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari, Kieran Tierney, David Luiz, Joel Lopez, Zane Monlouis
Midfielders: Bukayo Saka, Dani Ceballos, Martin Odegaard, Willian, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe, Granit Xhaka, Ryan Alebiosu, Ben Cottrell, Miguel Azeez, Omari Giraud-Hutchinson, Charlie Patino
Forwards: Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli, Folarin Balogun, Jordan McEneff
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Martinelli is registered among fellow forwards Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe.
B-roll players Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson are also set to be involved – as is Folarin Balogun, despite questions marks over his future.
SunSport previously reported that Arsenal are set to lose the youngster, who has netted twice in the Europa League, at the end of the season.
Mikel Arteta says he couldn’t see any contact from David Luiz in red card incident at Wolves
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
