Pain in the Arsenal
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Arsenal Vs Manchester City: Predicted starting XI – Here come the big guns

By Andrew Dowdeswell

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal reacts during UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal and Ostersunds FK at the Emirates Stadium on February 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Arsene Wenger, Manager of Arsenal reacts during UEFA Europa League Round of 32 match between Arsenal and Ostersunds FK at the Emirates Stadium on February 22, 2018 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images) /
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Arsenal, Laurent Koscielny
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 24: Laurent Koscielny of Arsenal during Carabao Cup Semi-Final Second Leg match between Arsenal and Chelsea the at Emirates Stadium on January 24, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

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It should not go unnoticed that Wenger has provided Laurent Koscielny with a two-week rest right in the heart of the season. With the two Europa League ties against FK Ostersunds the only two games of the past two weeks since the North London derby, not only has Koscielny not been in the starting XI but he has been absent from the matchday squad altogether.

With his bum Achilles that has ailed him for several seasons, giving him time to rest and recuperate before such a crucial game is invaluable. It would be extremely surprising to see Koscielny not return to the team at the weekend.

Similarly, although not to the same extent as he featured in the first leg, Shkodran Mustafi has also been offered a period of rest, only named on the bench on Thursday night. He will too return to the team on Sunday, hopefully fully refreshed and sharp.