Unai Emery has brought a raft of Arsenal’s brightest youngsters into his first-team squad ahead of their trip to Ukraine to take on Vorskla Poltava in the Europa League.
The likes of Tyreece John-Jules, Joe Willock, Charlie Gilmour and Jordi Osei-Tutu were among those who trained with the Arsenal first-team at London Colney before they fly out to Kiev for their tie, the location for which has been changed in light of the introduction of martial law in certain regions of Ukraine.
More familiar young players including Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah also trained, whilst Alexandre Lacazette’s involvement offered the Gunners a major boost ahead of Sunday’s north London derby.
It remains to be seen how many first team players will be taken by Emery to Ukraine, where a win will guarantee Arsenal top Group E, but John-Jules, Willock and Gilmour are expected to travel.
The trio have been in impressive form for Freddie Ljungberg’s Under-23 squad this season, John-Jules scoring twice and providing three assists in the EFL Trophy, a competition Willock has lit up with three goals in two appearances.
Emery confirmed before flying out to Ukraine that he would rest several players with one eye on the visit of Tottenham to the Emirates Stadium on Sunday.
“For us the Europa League is very important,” he said, before Uefa announced the game would be moved from Poltava to Kiev. “We want to finish first in the group. “It’s a long travel and suddenly after we will play Tottenham, but I want to give the team rest for the competition. We are going to think for Thursday’s game. We are going to decide on Tuesday how we can prepare better to win there and then think about Saturday.”