Arsenal FC: Arsene Wenger Should Consider Resting Key Players Against AC Milan

Arsene Wenger faces a tricky dilemma as he prepares Arsenal for the second leg of their Uefa Champions League last 16 tie against AC Milan. Facing a 4-0 deficit and with a still sizable injury list, Wenger should seriously consider resting key players.

That may not be good news for the numbers of Arsenal fans, this author included, who are set to make their way to the Emirates Stadium tomorrow night. 

Ensuring Champions League football for next season is Arsenal's only remaining tangible and attainable goal left in this campaign. After a superb series of recent league results, Arsenal are finally in a position to control their own top-four fate.

Victory at home against Newcastle United in the Gunners' next Premier League game would make the battle for fourth a straight fight between Arsenal and Chelsea. Also, the prospect of chasing down Tottenham Hotspur in third place is now very real. 

However, the squad is stretched. Players like Thomas Vermaeln, Robin van Persie and Tomas Rosicky were doubts after the recent international break and any rest could be vital.

The defensive ranks are perilously bereft of any proven depth with Andre Santos, Johan Djourou and Sebastien Squillaci all injured. The situation isn't any better in midfield.

Francis Coquelin and Aaron Ramsey remain sidelined and after the Liverpool game, Mikel Arteta, Yossi Benayoun and Abou Diaby are be set to join them according to Arsenal.com. Wenger is dangerously short of options entering the season's critical final months.

Admittedly, an injury list of this length leaves little room for rotation. However as much as possible, Wenger might be best served ringing the changes in key areas.

Giving van Persie a much-needed rest would be the obvious choice. Given his significance to Arsenal's chances of success, any opportunity to reduce van Persie's exposure to potential injury should be taken.

The difficulty for Wenger comes from the prestige of the competition and the pride and stature of Arsenal as one of Europe's biggest clubs. He could look to strike a balance and play his key men in the first half and see how close they can get to pulling off a minor miracle.

Overturning a 4-0 scoreline against seasoned opposition like Milan may seen unrealistic. Yet seeing Arsenal take the decision to willingly and limply bow out of the game's biggest club competition would be hard to take.

However, if the likes of Alex Song, Rosicky, or van Persie were to break down on Tuesday, the damage to Arsenal's future prospects could be far greater.