Arsene Wenger admits he is "cautious" over allowing anyone to
leave Arsenal this month.
The Gunners head into today's FA Cup third-round tie at Coca-Cola
Championship Burnley still very much in contention for
honours.
The Barclay Premier League leaders have the first leg of a Carling
Cup semi-final against north London rivals Tottenham coming up next
week, and will also take on European Cup holders AC Milan for a
place in the last eight of the Champions League.
Today's cup tie will be the last game before Arsenal lose trio
Emmanuel Eboue, Kolo Toure and Alex Song to the African Nations
Cup.
Although Robin van Persie remains the only major injury concern,
Wenger knows his troops could be left a bit thin on the ground
should any unsettled players find a way out of Emirates Stadium
during the transfer window.
The Gunners boss insists the "door is not closed" on veteran
goalkeeper Jens Lehmann remaining at Arsenal, with the German set
to feature at Turf Moor.
Reports have suggested the likes of Lassana Diarra - only signed
from Chelsea in August - Abou Diaby and Brazilian midfielder
Gilberto could be considering their futures.
Wenger, though, insists he has no intentions of adding to his
playing staff, and is not keen to see any movement out of the club
either.
The Arsenal boss declared: "At the moment, I have to take care of
the season.
"We are in a good position and want to win every competition.
"You need a big squad and what looks a big squad can quickly look
very short.
"At the moment we have not too many injuries, but with the number
of games we play and the intensity of the games we play, I have to
be cautious not to let too many players go."
Johan Djourou and Philippe Senderos will provide cover in the
centre of defence while Toure is away with the Ivory Coast.
Wenger remains pragmatic about the whole situation, which could
have been worse had striker Emmanuel Adebayor also qualified with
Togo.
"I consider they are injured, so if they were injured, they would
not play," said Wenger.
"The day they get out of the competition, they are not injured any
more and so you get them back."
Wenger sees no reason why the scheduling of the annual event could
not be brought in line with other major international
tournaments.
"It dates from a period where they had no floodlights and had to
play during the day, therefore it was maybe too hot in some
countries in June and July. That has changed now," said the Arsenal
boss.
"They could put it now maybe on the same date as the European
Championship."