Jose Antonio Reyes has been named on the bench for Arsenal in tonight's Champions League third-round qualifier first leg against Dinamo Zagreb in Croatia.
The Spanish winger has been a reported target for Real Madrid, and would be cup-tied for the remainder of the competition this season if he played tonight.
Justin Hoyte came in at left-back, as wantaway defender Ashley Cole had not travelled because of a lack of match fitness. Captain Thierry Henry was also rested, so Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie led the attack.
Manuel Almunia replaced suspended Jens Lehmann in goal and summer signing Tomas Rosicky made his debut on the left flank.
Reyes has become a Real Madrid target following the club's failure to sign Brazilian midfielder Kaka, Chelsea winger Arjen Robben and his Arsenal teammate Cesc Fabregas.
Reyes has made it clear he would like to return to Spain, but his agent Rodriguez de Moya said that a possible move to Real was now in the hands of the two clubs.
"It's an open secret that Jose Antonio wants to play for Real Madrid," he said. "He is very happy at Arsenal because they have treated him very well, but he misses home and has always made that clear.
"It appears that the clubs have begun talking and we are waiting to see if they reach an agreement."
Manager Arsene Wenger has said that he was unconcerned about speculation over the Spain international's possible departure.
"It does not come from him," he said, "It comes out from Spain. What can I do to stop that? I extended Jose's contract last year, so it is quite clear about how I regard his future at Arsenal. He is in the squad for Zagreb and if I decide to play him, he will play. There is no problem."
Arsenal paid a club record fee of around £17 million for Reyes who joined the London side as a 20-year-old in January 2004.
Dinamo Zagreb: Turina, Buljat, Cale, Nowotny, Corluka, Cvitanovic, Carlos, Modric, Eduardo, Mamic, Vugrinec. Subs: Costa, Agic, Drpic, Ljubojevic.
Arsenal: Almunia, Eboue, Hoyte, Toure, Djourou, Hleb, Fabregas, Silva, Rosicky, Adebayor, Van Persie. Subs: Poom, Reyes, Flamini, Song Billong, Cygan, Aliadiere.
