By Richard Clarke
Arsène Wenger will shuffle his side for the FA Cup Third Round
tie at Burnley on Sunday.
Arsenal have just emerged from a tough festive period and have a
two-legged Carling Cup Semi-Final coming up so perhaps it is no
surprise to see the Frenchman rotate for the trip to the
Championship strugglers.
After the victory over West Ham on New Year's Day, Wenger had
suggested
William Gallas and
Gael Clichy would be rested at Turf Moor. He was remaining
tight-lipped over the omissions when he spoke to Arsenal TV Online
on Thursday afternoon but he did suggest that
Jens Lehmann,
Kolo Toure,
Emmanuel Eboue and
Bacary Sagna were likely to start.
On the injury front,
Emmanuel Adebayor may miss out because of a slight hamstring
injury but
Robin van Persie (muscular) is around a week away from a
return.
"I can't really tell you too much about the team at the
moment because I have to check my players," said Wenger.
"I think Jens Lehmann will be involved. But Kolo Toure, Eboue
and Sagna will all play. A few of the players who featured all over
Christmas will be rested and a few will come in. It will be a
mixture.
"We do have a little problem with Adebayor on his hamstring
but, if really needed, he could play. Robin van Persie is still
injured and will not be involved. But it is very short for him now.
The next deadline could be Birmingham or just after."
Arsenal TV Online subscribers will be able to see the full
video interview with Arsène Wenger on Friday morning. In it
the Frenchman talks about: his approach to the FA Cup this season,
his fine record against lower league opposition, the ex-Arsenal
player at Turf Moor, the Youth Department's legacy, the
departure of Matthew Connolly, rumours involving Vela, Lehmann and
Hleb, the Christmas period and whether Liverpool are still in the
title race.
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