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Football London
Football London
Sport
Tashan Deniran-Alleyne

Gabriel Martinelli to start vs Man City as Arsenal fans spot Freddie Ljungberg's team news hint

Arsenal are through to the round of 32 stage in this season's Europa League.

Although, the Gunners didn't half make hard work of sealing progression as they took two points from their final three group games despite having an 100 per cent record after matchday three.

Against Standard Liege they were 2-0 down and had the hosts scored three more times without reply then the north London outfit would have been eliminated in truly humiliating fashion.

Art de Roche's Arsenal team to face Manchester City

But inspired by Bukayo Saka - who scored one and created the other - the visitors fought back to earn a 2-2 draw.

That coupled with Eintracht Frankfurt's collapse against Vitoria also meant the Gunners topped the group and should get a favourable knockout tie when the draw is made next week.

More importantly, interim head coach Freddie Ljungberg was able to rotate his squad with Sunday's clash against Manchester City in mind.

Lucas Torreira, Mesut Ozil, Nicolas Pepe and Sead Kolasinac were among those who didn't make the trip to Belgium, while Bernd Leno was an unused substitute - although Calum Chambers and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang were called into action just to ensure the side got over the line.

Gabriel Martinelli also got some minutes under his belt, but was the fact that he started on the bench offer a clue over Ljungberg's team selection thoughts for the City game?

It's what some Arsenal fans think and many are predicting that he will be rewarded for a goal on his full Premier League debut with a first start at home in the competition.

Take a look at what has been said on Twitter...

Martinelli starting against Man City could mean a place on the bench once again for Alexandre Lacazette despite his goal against Liege.

But the Frenchman has not hit top form since returning from the ankle injury which kept him out of action for a month and the Brazilian wonderkid's form this season means he has serious competition on his hands.

Much would depend on Pepe's fitness as Arsenal confirmed this week that he will be assessed ahead of City's visit.

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