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Team News: Arsene Wenger rests key trio

Team News: Wenger rests key trio
© PA Photos
Arsene Wenger chooses to rest a handful of key players for Arsenal's FA Cup fourth-round visit of Brighton.

Arsene Wenger has opted to rest Jack Wilshere, Santi Cazorla and Theo Walcott for Arsenal's FA Cup fourth-round tie with Brighton & Hove Albion this afternoon.

The Gunners have not won a major trophy in eight seasons, but Wenger has entrusted some of his fringe players to secure them passage to the next stage of the competition.

Aaron Ramsey and Tomas Rosicky come into the midfield, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain joins Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski in the front three.

Kieran Gibbs and Bacary Sagna are also rested from a defence that is missing captain Thomas Vermaelen through injury.

Andre Santos and Carl Jenkinson are named in the full-back positions, with Per Mertesacker taking the captain's armband from the absent Belgian.

Home boss Gus Poyet, formerly of Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur, names an attacking side for the clash at the Falmer Stadium.

New £2m signing Leonardo Ulloa is handed a debut alongside Ashley Barnes in a two-man Seagulls attack.

Reported Premier League target Liam Bridcutt and Will Buckley will aim to provide support from the flanks as Poyet makes four changes.

Casper Ankergren replaces Tomasz Kuszczak between the posts, while Andrea Orlandi, Vicente and Gary Dicker also drop out.

Arsenal: Szczesny; Jenkinson, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Santos; Diaby, Ramsey, Rosicky; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Giroud

Brighton: Ankergren; El Abd, Greer, Calderon, Bridge; Bridcutt, Hammond, Lopez, Buckley; Ulloa, Barnes

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Arsene Wenger on the touchline during Arsenal's 2-2 draw with Swansea on January 6, 2013
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