The Gunners became embroiled in a game packed full of
goalmouth action as they secured their place in the FA Cup
fifth-round draw, although Arsene Wenger’s men will now need to
play an unwelcome replay.
Wenger admits he had planned to rest the legs of Van Persie –
easily Arsenal’s best player on the day – but he had to scrap those
plans as The Gunners toiled.
"We are very short at the moment and cannot rotate very much,”
Wenger admitted as the end of Sunday’s match.
“I could rest a few players today but not as many as I had
wanted. I had planned to take Robin van Persie off but it didn't
work that way."
As for the extra game, Wenger admits he could do without a
replay, but he is determined to make sure Arsenal progress in the
competition.
"We could do without it, 100%, but let's not complain because we
play football. It's one more game to play. If that's the price we
have to pay to stay in the hat, we're happy to do it.”