Arsene Wenger has opted to rest Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil in the build-up to Arsenal’s game against Chelsea on Wednesday.
The attacking duo were not included in the Arsenal squad that took on Nottingham Forest on Sunday in the third round of the FA Cup.
Wenger left a host of first-team names out of the cup tie with Olivier Giroud, Alexandre Lacazette, Francis Coquelin and Granit Xhaka all rested.
Danny Welbeck was handed the chance to start up front and Wenger called upon several academy and fringe players to fill the bench.
Sanchez and Ozil have both been linked with transfer moves this January and the exclusion from the entire squad could be a cause for concern for Arsenal fans.
The pair are out of contract in the summer and Arsenal have been rumoured to be considering cashing in on the attackers.
Manchester City are chasing Sanchez, while their local rivals Manchester United are lining up an offer for Ozil.
Arsenal fans should not be alarmed, however, with Wenger consistently playing his B team for cup games.
Wenger has an unmatched record in the FA Cup, having won the tournament more than any other manager.
The Gunners will have one eye on first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final against Chelsea after the rivals shared the points in their Premier League game on Wednesday.
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