Wenger: no risk resting Cesc

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said resting Cesc Fabregas is the right thing to do after the midfielder has contributed immensely in recent weeks to Arsenal's outstanding form.

Wenger said: "It is always a gamble whatever decisions you make, but I trust the players I take," he said. "Gilberto will play. He is captain of the Brazilian national team, you cannot say he is a big gamble.

"For me it does not change because we leave Fabregas at home that we cannot win the game."

The Arsenal manager, though, felt he had little option other than to give players a breather, with the hectic festive schedule approaching.

"Cesc has nearly played every single minute since the start of the season," said Wenger.

"If you get him injured, it's three or four games out. If you can give him a breather at some stage it is not too bad.

"We have a big enough squad to give the players a rest when it is needed, and so can cope without a winter break.

"Players who play abroad sometimes have the Christmas period to go home, but here in England they like to keep Christmas going and to have a break after.

"Let's not be stupid, we cannot go down to 18 in the league and you do not have less games than before, you always have more.

"But at the moment there is still a reasonable break in the summer."