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Wenger set to start Academy pair in Belarus
Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Reiss Nelson are set to start Arsenal's Europa League tie against BATE Borisov in Belarus as manager Arsene Wenger looks to rotate his squad.
Arsenal, who beat West Brom 2-0 at the Emirates on Monday, face the Belarussian champions at the Borisov Arena on Thursday, a match which will be shown live on eir Sport 2 [kick off 6pm], then meet Brighton at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, a match which will be shown live on BT Sport 1 [kick off 12 noon].
Wenger will rest Laurent Koscielny, Mesut Ozil, Alexis Sanchez, Aaron Ramsey, Granit Xhaka, Hector Bellerin and summer signings Alexandre Lacazette and Sead Kolasinac, although experienced fringe players Jack Wilshere, Olivier Giroud and Theo Walcott are likely to start in Belarus.
"I said on Monday that I would play an experienced team with a young bench - that's what I'll do," Wenger said.
"We have a tight schedule. It's an important game, only one or two young players will start.
"It's a good test for the young players. They will have to cope with that intimidating atmosphere. It will be very loud."
Maitland-Niles, 20, will start in the centre of the Arsenal midfield, while felow Academy graduate Nelson, 17, will start up front for the Gunners.
"Maitland-Niles has great quality, he can steal the ball without making fouls," Wenger contunued.
"I believe he is ready to play. He has a great future."
Arsenal top Group H following their Matchday One 3-1 home win over Cologne and BATE's 1-1 draw at Red Star Belgrade.
There's no Champions League for Arsenal for the first time in 21 years, but you can watch the Gunners in Europa League action on the eir Sport package. The Gunners face Bundesliga side FC Koln, BATE Borisov and Red Star Belgrade in Group H. Arsenal's game against BATE at the Borisov Arena on Thursday, 28 September is live on eir Sport 2 [kick off 6pm] and their Premier League game against Brighton at the Emirates on Sunday, 1 October will be shown live on BT Sport 1 [kick off 12 noon].
Image: Getty Images/ Ian Walton
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