Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger: This is why I started Konstantinos Mavropanos

ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger has opened on his shock decision to hand defender Konstantinos Mavropanos his first appearance for the club against Manchester United.

By Uche Amako

PUBLISHED: 18:14, Sun, Apr 29, 2018 | UPDATED: 18:15, Sun, Apr 29, 2018

Konstantinos Mavropanos GETTY

Konstantinos Mavropanos makes his Premier League debut for Arsenal

With a Europa League second leg semi-final against Atletico Madrid to come on Thursday, Wenger left several big names at home and took a youthful squad to Manchester.

Among the players that did travel was Mavropanos, who joined the club in January from Greek side PAS Giannina.

Despite a number of inclusions in the matchday squad, Mavropanos had yet to appear for Arsenal but Wenger has handed the 20-year-old a shock opportunity to impress at Old Trafford.

“He’s a talent,” said Wenger.

Konstantinos Mavropanos GETTY

Konstantinos Mavropanos has played for the Under-23s

“But lets see how he plays against Lukaku and how well he does.

“He lacks the experience of course at centre-back but he has the physical and technical attributes and the focus.

“So it’s a good test for him today.”