Wenger to rest Van Persie for Leeds clash

Arsene Wenger has vowed to select a strong side as Arsenal take on Leeds United in the FA Cup this weekend.

Wenger has used cup competitions in the past to blood youngsters, often making wholesale changes for games, especially those against lower-league opposition, but insists this will be no such occasion.

“(I will play) a strong side, a normal side,” he told the club’s official website.

“Maybe one or two will be rested, but apart from that I think we will still have Marouane Chamakh.”

“Robin van Persie will certainly be rested for this game. We will hopefully have Chamakh available, (Chu-Young) Park available.”

“Gervinho will maybe miss the game because they (the Ivory Coast players) have to turn up 14 days before the (Africa Cup of Nations) tournament starts.”

The Gunners’ defensive woes are set to continue ahead of the clash with Simon Grayson’s side, as Johan Djourou will be suspended after his red card at Fulham and Thomas Vermaelen is missing through injury, meaning Wenger will again have to improvise.

“From Monday night we have Djourou who will be suspended of course. Vermaelen will not be back and that creates quite a limitation at the back because it means no defender will come back,” he said.

“I think he (Djourou) could have played (if he wasn’t suspended). He has still not recovered completely from his groin injury but for Monday he should have been OK.”

“(Bacary) Sagna and (Jack) Wilshere are going well of course but it is too early for them. (Kieran) Gibbs is doing well but none of them are ready for the next few weeks at least. We have to cope at the moment with the situation we face as well as we can.”

Wenger’s absentees at the back mean he is looking to sign a defender on loan in January.

“At the moment nothing, we don’t have a concrete case but we don’t rule it (a signing) out,” he said.

“(A loan defender is) the likely scenario, yes.”

“(I am expecting a) quiet (transfer window). Europe is depressed and there is not a lot of money available, only some clubs who have exceptional resources.”

“Let’s say that clubs who are not linked with the economic environment at the moment can buy.”

Manchester City’s forgotten man Wayne Bridge has been linked with a switch to the Emirates Stadium alongside AC Milan’s Nigerian left-back Taye Taiwo.

The Gunners are also expected to complete the temporary signing of Thierry Henry.