Arsene Wenger admits Arsenal's FA Cup draw against
Liverpool has made a tough fixture list in the second half of the season even
harder.
Arsenal will face Liverpool twice, as well as Manchester
United and Bayern Munich, in the space of11 days during February, while March
sees them take on Bayern, Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton.
Wenger remains positive his players can cope with the
pressure of such tests, but knows rotation will be vital to ensure his squad
remain injury-free.
"It's an interesting draw (against Liverpool) and a
difficult one, (but) we have a little advantage by playing at home," he
said on Monday.
"There will be plenty of big games, which means
whole squad needs to be highly focused.
"It is a massive challenge, but I am confident we
can do that (succeed).
"It's very important I get it right on the rotation
front."
The Frenchman received a boost ahead of Arsenal's Premier
League clash with Southampton on Tuesday, with the return of Aaron Ramsey,
Mikel Arteta and Thomas Vermaelen, while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain may be ready
for his first start since the opening day of the season.
The league leaders travel to St Mary's looking to record
an eighth consecutive victory in all competitions, but Wenger knows doing so
will be a tough ask against Mauricio Pochettino's side.
"Everybody goes to Southampton now knowing they are in
for a very difficult game," he added.
"He (Pochettino) has done a very good job because
nobody knew him when he came here.
"Southampton have done a remarkable job with their
academy. The quality of their work is amazing.
"We have a doubt about Wilshere but Ramsey, Arteta
and Vermaelen are back in the squad.
"He (Oxlade-Chamberlain) is not fully fit but he is
getting closer. I haven't decided whether he will start tomorrow."
Culled from Soccerway
