Arsene Wenger sees no reason not to play his strongest side against Ostersunds FK on Thursday night.

Arsenal travel to Sweden on Thursday for the first leg of their Europa League round of 32 tie with Ostersunds FK.

Thanks to a quirk in the scheduling, and an early elimination from the FA Cup, Arsenal are without a game the following weekend.

Due to that, Wenger has no reason to rest his first team players.

“I will play the normal team because it’s one of the opportunities we have, especially because we don’t play in the [FA Cup] this season,” he said, as reported by the Evening Standard.

“There’s no reason why I should rest players.”

It’s likely that Wenger will make one or two changes anyway.

He may give David Ospina, his usual choice for cup keeper, a chance in goal.

He’ll have to play Alexandre Lacazette up front as well, as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is cup-tied.

Even if we did have a game next weekend, Wenger would have been urged to pick his strongest side.

The Europa League has taken on far more significance this season as our league form has been average.

It’s going to be our only route into the Champions League.

As fun as it’s been seeing all our young players get opportunities, it’s time to take the competition seriously.

How our summer goes could depend on it.