Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has named his team to face Galatasaray in the Champions League a day early, with Joel Campbell set to have a chance.
The Costa Rica international has struggled to break into Arsene Wenger’s starting eleven this season, despite a wave of expectation during pre-season after deciding against a fourth loan spell away from Emirates stadium.
Campbell will now feature against Galatasaray in the Champions League after Arsene Wenger announced his starting eleven to reporters on Monday.
“We are professional people, responsible and what is important is the next game,” the manager told reporters. “We have to respond in a strong way and win the game – that’s part of our job.
“You cannot always look for excuses. When we are down, we are down. When you have a disappointment you have to respond in a strong way – that’s what competition is about.
“You also cannot guarantee to anybody that you won’t lose a game. Many teams can lose at Stoke.”
Arsenal starting XI v Galatasaray will be Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Bellerin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Flamini, Ramsey; Campbell, Sanogo, Podolski.
Wenger continued to discuss a number of fringe players, explaining his reasons for their inclusion in the match-day squad.
“Some are closer [to the first team], like Chuba Akpom who you know already,” he added. “You have Gedion Zelalem who you will certainly already know.
“We have maybe two other players who are now making big strides forward – Ainsley Maitland-Niles, who is very good, and Stefan O’Connor, the centre back, who looks very promising in training.”