David Ospina set to make first start in over a month when Arsenal take on Cologne in Europa League

David Ospina is likely to make his first appearance for Arsenal since 28 September after recovering from a groin injury and will be joined by a number of other fringe players when the club travel to Germany to take on Cologne in the Europa League on Thursday (23 November).

The Colombian goalkeeper has had to play second fiddle to Petr Cech again this season with all his appearances coming in the cup competitions. He was on the bench for the Gunners' win over Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday (18 November) and is likely to take the gloves from Arsenal's number one for the game against the Bundesliga side after he was pictured training with the first-team on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old was close to leaving the club in the summer but chose to stay and fight for the number one jersey, but is yet to displace the experienced former Chelsea stopper. Ospina has been impressive when called into action, but is unlikely to displace Cech in the near future.

Arsene Wenger has never played the same team in the Premier League and Europa League and is likely to continue his rotation policy. Like in the past games, all 11 outfield players are likely to be different when they take on Cologne. Arsenal just need a point against the German side to seal their place in the knockout stages.

The likes of Jack Wilshere, Rob Holding, Mathieu Debuchy, Per Mertesacker, Danny Welbeck and Theo Walcott are likely to start after missing out against Spurs at the weekend. While Alex Iwobi and Francis Coquelin could also be called up after only being used as late substitutes during the north London derby.

The French manager is also likely to continue his policy to field youth-team players with Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah, Joe Willock and Ben Sheaf all set to travel with the squad to Germany. The former two of the aforementioned quintet could start in the wing-back roles like they have in previous Europa League games.

The one player missing from the touring party is likely to be Olivier Giroud, who is yet to recover from a thigh injury sustained while on national team duty with France during the recently concluded international break. The 31-year-old striker has been restricted to appearances from the bench in the Premier League while all his starts have come in the Europa League and the EFL Cup.