Arsenal players would 'absolutely stupid' to assume Europa League tie is won, says Arsene Wenger

Arsene Wenger has said his side would be “absolutely stupid” to think the second leg of their Europa League clash with Ostersunds FK will be a “stroll”.

Arsenal won 3-0 in Sweden last week, allowing Wenger to rest his bigger names on Thursday night ahead of the League Cup final against Manchester City this weekend.

Players such as Mesut Ozil and Hector Bellerin are unlikely to play in the second leg against Graham Potter’s Ostersunds FK side, with Wenger expected to give his fringe players another chance in European competition.

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“Ostersund had a timid start and we took advantage of it, but after they showed that they are a good side,” Wenger said. “For us it is absolutely vital to play well to have a chance to win the game.

“We play at home and we want to win the game. If you look at the results of Ostersund in the Europa League, it’s quite impressive, home and away. The game for us demands respect. It would be absolutely stupid for us to think we go out there and have a stroll. We could have had a bad surprise.”

The first leg in Sweden was the first game in which Wenger had picked a full-strength team in this season’s Europa League. The second leg will therefore present players such as Danny Welbeck and Calum Chambers with another chance to impress, as well as the likes of Joe Willock and Rob Holding.

“It is a good opportunity for the players to show that they have the quality to compete at this level, and also there is a fight for places everywhere, in every position, at the moment.”

Arsenal are still without Aaron Ramsey, who is suffering from a groin strain, but Wenger said the midfielder is a “possibility” for Sunday’s League Cup final.

Meanwhile, Alexandre Lacazette’s recovery from knee surgery is progressing well. “I think he will be ahead of his planned recovery,” Wenger said.