Mikel Arteta has explained his decision to drop Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang for this evening's Europa League clash.
Arsenal are in action against Slavia Prague in the Europa League quarter-finals first leg at the Emirates Stadium and the team news brought plenty of surprises.
The biggest of which was the absence of lead striker Aubameyang, who has struggled for form of late with just one goal in his last five Premier League appearances
Instead, Alexandre Lacazette leads the line with Bukayo Saka returning from injury to feature in the front line and Willian also getting a start.
And Arteta has now explained those decisions when asked about Aubameyang's omission.
He told BT Sport: "We had to pick the right team to try to start the game the best possible way and as well have the options to change the game because Europe gives you the possibility to make five subs and that's a big thing and we want to use our full squad in the best possible way."
The Gunners are without Kieran Tierney for this one after the left-back was ruled out for four-to-six weeks with a knee injury sustained in the defeat to Liverpool.
Cedric Soares comes in, in the Scot's place, starting on the left-hand side with Hector Bellerin replacing the injured Calum Chambers on the right.
Explaining the decision to start Cedric, Arteta added: "Cedric has played well [in place of Tierney] we know it's not his preferred position but he's a solution we had to find.
"Kieran will be out for a few weeks and he will be missed because he brings something unique to the team - but other players have to step in."
