Arsene Wenger hints at Robin van Persie rest

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has hinted that he may rest striker Robin van Persie for the Gunners' game against Stoke City this weekend.

The Dutchman is Arsenal's top scorer this season with five goals, but Wenger has revealed that he may need to be withdrawn to avoid an imminent injury.

"On Monday I decide always to rest him, and on Friday I [decide to] play him again," the Frenchman told The Mirror.

"It is always a difficult decision to make at the moment, but I will have to do it soon.

"We will assess everybody on Saturday, then I make the decision for Sunday. I will have to rotate a little bit."

The Gunners are currently 10th in the Premier League table, while Stoke are in seventh place.