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Big guns rested for cup tie at bogey team Bolton
Arsenal chief focuses on getting a Champions League place
ARSENE Wenger will rest key players for the Gunners’ tricky fourth-round FA Cup tie at Bolton on Saturday.
Speaking after his side’s embarrassing exit from the Carling Cup to Premiership new boys Wigan Athletic, the Arsenal manager said securing a Champions League position was more important than winning trophies.
In a statement that will disappoint Arsenal fans who have seen the Gunners lift the historic trophy three times in four years – Wenger said he would not risk his big names, including established first-team players Thierry Henry, Sol Campbell and Lauren because of injury.
He added that gaining a Champions’ League spot was more important.
Arsenal fans dread the annual trip up to Bolton.
In 2002/03, the Gunners’ faltering title charge fell apart at the Reebok Stadium when they gave away a two-goal lead to take just a point from the game, while they only managed a draw in their Invincible season of 2003/4.
In January 2005, Bolton piled on the misery with a 1-0 win that ended any dreams of catching Chelsea.
And the Gunners crashed 2-0 to Bolton in December, ending a 10-game unbeaten run.
But despite the potential banana skin, Wenger will continue to blood his talented young guns at the Reebok stadium.
He said: “Saturday we rest many players. We have some injuries, it is true, and we will not take a chance in the FA Cup. We must focus on the Premiership to get the Champions League position.”
Wenger was disappointed with his full-strength team’s shock exit from the Carling Cup to Wigan Athletic on Tuesday, but remained philosophical in defeat.
He said: “Don’t forget we won the game. We tried to go to the final and it didn’t work. But it’s not so much we don’t go to the final – it’s just the fact we were beaten in the same way at Everton. By a long ball down the middle – that’s a bit naïve with the experience we have.”
Wenger must hope his young squad mature in time for Saturday. |
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