Arsenal's Arsene Wenger: 'I will rest Jack Wilshere'

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has revealed that he intends to hand Jack Wilshere a rest and leave him out of the squad for the Capital One Cup this week.

The England international, who was part of the side that beat Stoke City 3-1 at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday, has had several fitness problems in recent months, but has been forced to play due to the Gunners' lack of depth in midfield.

However, with players such as Mikel Arteta beginning to return from injury, Wenger admits that he will not play Wilshere against West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday.

"Jack played now five games," Wenger told reporters. "Normally I should have rested him today but he did fight very hard and he was a bit exhausted in the end and that's why I decided to take him off.

"Certainly I will not play Jack on Wednesday, we have to rotate the squad because we play again on Saturday and after that we have a massive home game in the Champions League. On Wednesday I will of course rotate the team."

Arsenal travel to The Hawthorns on Wednesday to face Albion in the Capital One Cup.