ARSENE Wenger has acknowledged the pressing need to claim Arsenal's first trophy in five years and will demonstrate his desire to win the League Cup by including a number of recognised first-team players in this evening's fourth-round tie at Newcastle United (live on Sky Sports 2, 7.45), reports Dominic Fifield.
The Arsenal manager ditched his established policy of using only youngsters in the competition in the previous round’s victory at Tottenham and will field such players as Theo Walcott, Nicklas Bendtner, Kieran Gibbs and Laurent Koscielny at St James’ Park.
Wenger, who has been dismissive of the League Cup in the past, reassured shareholders at the club’s annual general meeting last week that he would “go for every single competition with every resource we have”.
Wenger, speaking to Arsenal TV Online, admitted the pressure has mounted with each trophyless season, stretching back to the 2005 FA Cup final victory over Manchester United. “I can understand that people want more and we want to give them more.”
Key senior figures such as Cesc Fabregas, Marouane Chamakh and Samir Nasri will be rested for the game on Tyneside.
GuardianService
