It was thought that Arsene Wenger would be against fielding a weakened side in our final first-stage match against Shakhtar next week, since although the matches are meaningless to us and Lazio, they will decide which of the other two teams goes through to the UEFA Cup for coming 3rd. Currently Sparta are 3rd so, in order to finish above them, Shakhtar need to get more points from Tuesday's game than Sparta do (see Champs League page for table, results, etc).

One would have to understand Sparta's inevitable anger should Shakhtar get a result at home to Arsenal's reserves while a full-strength Lazio thump Sparta.

But Le Boss has apparently agreed with Lazio boss Sven Goran Eriksson (now, where have I heard that name before?) that both Arsenal and Lazio will rest key players for their travels next week. Us against Shakhtar, Lazio against Sparta.

A UEFA spokesperson commented that it's up to the coaches which players to pick from the list of 25 submitted to UEFA at the start of the season. So it seems that it is the common sense of fair play on the parts of the 2 coaches which is the only driving force.

Fringe players in Arsenal's 25 include Malz, Upson, Wreh, Barrett, Cole, Vernazza, Taylor, Weston, and Mendez.

Gilles Grimandi is, ahem, suspended.