Wenger ready to test youngsters
Arsene Wenger will reveal a glimpse of Arsenal’s future by fielding David Bentley, Jeremie Aliadiere and Jose Reyes at in-form Portsmouth tonight – and risk the Gunners unbeaten 35-match Barclaycard Premiership record.
Boss Wenger, having clinched the title two games ago, is now torn between his ambition to remain undefeated in the final three encounters or blood his young guns whom he hopes can play a more prominent role in next year’s title defence.
But having revealed already that he will omit stars Dennis Bergkamp, Gilberto Silva and Robert Pires from the line-up at Fratton Park, he looks set to give all his young trio their chance.
Pires will be protected again from a hostile reception by the volatile Pompey fans, who have not forgiven him for the alleged dive which won Arsenal a point-saving penalty in the 1-1 draw at Highbury in September.
Wenger also left him out of the 5-1 FA Cup win at Portsmouth in March but insists that this time it is simply because “Robert has played many, many games and needs a rest”.
The manager added: “I need to see other players in the side and that is why Bergkamp and Gilberto are also left out.”
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