Ryo left out of Arsenal's Champions League squad

Ryo Miyaichi has been left out of Arsenal's Champions League squad to face Besiktas over two legs.

However, he's in good company. Theo Walcott and David Ospina have also been omitted, due to injury.

Should Arsenal qualify for the group stages, they can then resubmit their squad selection, which includes 25 for inclusion in the 'A' list and a 'B' list, made up only of players born on or after 1st January 1993 (Ryo was born just before that date!) and players who have also been eligible to play for Arsenal for at least 2 uninterrupted years after the age of 15 (which would also count Ryo out, given his loan spells away).

Although also injured, Abou Diaby has been selected for the 'A' squad; but obviously Arsenal's medical staff must think there's a chance he could play.

There's still hope for Ryo if Arsenal reach the group stages, as the Gunners will then be required to send in another 'A' list of 25 players. Unfortunately, Ryo won't qualify for the B list for the reasons already mentioned.

That means Ryo needs to displace one of the younger less-experienced players standing in his way like: goalkeepers Matt Macey and Damian Martinez (although one will surely make way for Ospina when he's fit), centre back Iggy Miguel, utility player Francis Coquelin, and central midfielder Gedion Zelalem.

When you bear in mind that Theo will need to be accommodated in the squad as well, it seems there will be no place in Arsenal's Champions League squad for Ryo. His only hope is an experienced wide man gets a long-term injury, thus freeing up a place in the 'A' list.

In the event that Arsenal do make the group stages, they will need to submit the squad lists by 1st September. By then, Ryo's fate should be clearer.

Sent from my iPhone