Wenger plays rotation game

Arsene Wenger feels compelled to rotate his squad when Arsenal face Leeds in the FA Cup tomorrow after going unbeaten over the busy Christmas period.

"I believe that Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie could be short for Saturday," he said. "They have kicks – Van Persie on the hip and Nasri on the ankle but it is only a question of days. There are going to be many changes."

Wenger was pleased to have Kieran Gibbs back and said that Emmanuel Eboué would play after conceding that he would not be appealing against the red card Bacary Sagna received against Manchester City.

"I have seen it again and there is no way we can appeal. For me it is a red card and we have to accept it," he said. "Bacary lost his temper and had too strong a reaction. He acknowledges that he should have kept control. We will not appeal."

"It will be another big game – you know the third round of the FA Cup is always very tricky," added Wenger. "We have players who are coming back and players who have not played so we will rotate – that is vital."