Arsene Wenger promises few days rest to Arsenal stars

Arsenal are two points clear of Leicester City at the top of the Premier League

(PA)

Arsene Wenger has promised a short mid-season break to his Arsenal stars after the Gunners took top spot in the Premier League over Christmas.

Despite a poor 4-0 defeat at Southampton on Boxing Day, Arsenal won three of their four games, starting with a crucial 2-1 win over rivals Manchester City on 21 December.

The Gunners are now two points ahead of Leicester City, who have not won in three, and a further point ahead of Manchester City.

Wenger has decided to make the FA Cup, the third round of which takes place this weekend, less of a priority this season, having won it in each of the last two campaigns.

With Arsenal not playing in the Premier League again until 13 January, Wenger will give his players more rest than they would usually have.

Alexis Sanchez may well return and Mohamed Elneny could be in the squad if he is signed in time, but the likes of Petr Cech, Hector Bellerin, Laurent Koscielny, Nacho Monreal, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Olivier Giroud will certainly be rested.

But Wenger warned the players to keep in a correct frame of mind.

"I will give them a couple of days, an extra rest but you never know what shape they come back in," he said. "It depends what you do when you have a rest. You can come back more tired."

Wenger was particularly pleased with the gritty 1-0 win over Newcastle, and the way his team defended. He added: "Another aspect of our team was tested.

"You fight not to concede a goal. You must not panic and wait for your chance. We have been more questioned on that aspect than how way we play football."