THE GUNNERS

Arsenal have taken nine points from their first three games in Group H and scored seven against the Czech League leaders last time out.

A point this evening will be enough to see them through to the Knockout Stages. However Wenger is well aware that sides that are quick off the blocks sometimes struggle to cross the finish line. So on the back of those draining draws against Manchester United and Liverpool plus a hectic schedule just over the horizon, the Arsenal manager has chosen to switch his side around.

Cesc Fabregas and Alex Hleb are rested completely while Kolo Toure (calf) and Tomas Rosicky (groin) have also been left in London due to minor injuries.

Emmanuel Adebayor did fly out but is expected to warm the bench on what should be a bitterly cold night in Prague. Gilberto, Alex Song and Theo Walcott will all start.

"I said before the game against Manchester United that I would rotate a bit more because we come into a period where it is needed,” said Wenger.

“The tension was very high against Liverpool and Manchester United and, after those games, automatically the intensity goes down. After relieving that pressure some players felt a bit tired that is why I changed things a little bit.

"But we have a way to play the game and have 20 players who are very good, so it does not really matter. However when the players need a breather, I will give them one.

“Cesc, for example, has played every single minute nearly since the start of the season. I look at it and we are around 20 games in now. If you get him injured it’s three or four games out. So if you can give him a breather at some stage it is not too bad.

“Yes I suppose it is always a gamble whatever decisions you make, but I trust the players I take. For me it doesn’t mean we cannot win the game because we leave Fabregas at home.”

Despite the heady nature of Arsenal’s 7-0 victory over Slavia on Matchday Three, the image of the game was the visitors bowing down in front of their fans at the final whistle. It was an acknowledgement of their failings on the night and, to their credit, the Slavia supporters applauded their team for the gesture.

It is something even Wenger admitted he has never seen before and, perversely, that might have made the manager extra vigilant this evening.

"If we just think we turn up and say to ourselves 'well, we won the first game easily' then we will have a bad surprise," he commented.

“Slavia are looking for revenge and for us complacency is a big danger. We will be up for it and we have enough experience in the Champions League to know all the teams push to the limit.

“We want to finish the job we have started. We have nine points, but we know that it is not enough to qualify. For us this game means a lot and we want to use the fact that we have always done well here in Prague to win tonight.”