Source: Telegraph
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger set to rest key players for FA Cup tie at West Ham
With Arsenal not having won a trophy for nearly five years, Wenger's strategy is controversial and risks provoking criticism from the club's own fans, yet also reflects a belief that his team can capitalise on the most open Premier League title race in recent memory.[LNB]The matches against West Ham, Bolton and Everton are played over just seven days, with Wenger adamant he must protect certain players following the 4-1 win over Portsmouth on Wednesday.[LNB] Related ArticlesArsenal close in on WellingtonRamsey has no regrets about rejecting UnitedDoes foreign invasion harm England?Premier League: transfer window guideAbou Diaby signs new Arsenal dealSport on television"We want to win but we want to protect our home [league] games against Bolton and Everton," he said. "The Premier League is always more important.[LNB]"It is so hard that you want to take care of your position. We want to keep our momentum going. I will change some players.[LNB]"We had a few players who played on the edge and I will try not to take too big a risk for some who are medically vulnerable, and protect one or two more. But we will have just as strong a side as we had at Portsmouth. The FA Cup is important to me as well."[LNB]Wenger has also admitted that it will be impossible for him to sign Bordeaux's Marouane Chamakh during the current transfer window, but he is anticipating a busy month for Premier League clubs. Jack Wilshere may be loaned out for regular first-team football, although Wenger has ruled out the permanent departure of any player.[LNB]"We are still in the market," he said. "Chamakh is in the Champions League with Bordeaux and at the top of their league, so he will not move now. I can understand that people are scared because we are short [up front]. Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner contributed to many of the 51 goals we have scored. [LNB]"We miss them. I always hoped for a long time that Bendtner would be available at the beginning of January but that is not the case now. So we have to look somewhere. I will wait a while.[LNB]"The transfer window will be busy because we have some massive clubs who need to buy players or who look like they will."[LNB]Wenger hopes that Philippe Senderos will be sufficiently recovered from a foot problem to face West Ham on Sunday, while Tomas Rosicky is likely to make his first start for a month following a hamstring injury. [LNB]Denilson, Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott are all injured. Alex Song will play his last Arsenal game before the African Cup of Nations. [LNB]
