Arsenal release their Europa League squad for the knockout stage

Arsenal qualified for the Europa League round of 32 for a fourth consecutive season after sailing through their group with a 100% winning record.

They begin the knockout stage with a two-legged encounter against Benfica. 18 February in Lisbon and 25 February in London.

The departure’s of Sead Kolasinac and Shkodran Mustafi have freed up space for new signings Mat Ryan and Marin Odegaard.

With a limit of 17 non-home grown players Arsenal decided to sacrifice goalkeeper Alex Runarsson for Gabriel Martinelli, who previously wasn’t included in the squad because of his injury.

UEFA rules also allow clubs to submit a separate list of homegrown under-21 players who can be selected in the competition.

Here is the full squad that was submitted to UEFA

Goalkeepers:

Bernd Leno, Mathew Ryan, Karl Hein, James Hillson, Arthur Okwonko

Defenders:

Hector Bellerin, Gabriel, Rob Holding, Cedric, Calum Chambers, Pablo Mari, David Luiz, Joel Lopez, Zane Monlouis

Midfielders:

Kieran Tierney, Bukayo Saka, Dani Ceballos, Martin Odegaard, Willian, Thomas Partey, Mohamed Elneny, Emile Smith Rowe, Granit Xhaka, Ryan Alebiosu, Ben Cottrell, Miguel Azeez, Omari Giraud-Hutchinson, Charlie Patino

Forwards:

Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Nicolas Pepe, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Gabriel Martinelli, Folarin Balogun, Jordan McEneff

Arsenal will be aiming at winning this competition and using it as a route to Champions League qualification.

Last season Arsenal exited at the round of 32 stage but in previous seasons managed to reach the semifinals and final.