Arsene Wenger has hinted that he might not take Laurent Koscielny to Turkey this midweek for their clash against Galatasaray.

Despite being on the bench, Koscielny didn't play a minute of the game of Arsenal's visit to Stoke, owing to his injury, from where they returned with their defense exposed as the 3-2 loss vehemently shows how crucial Koscielny is at the back for the Gunners.

Speaking to the press, Wenger said: “A few players will not travel because there’s not a lot at stake and we have given a lot in the last two weeks, We have to recover a little bit."

A loss away at Turkey can lead to another brawl amongst the Arsenal fans who are not divided into "Arsene In" and "Arsene Out" camps. The Arsenal manager has received a lot of boos, even in the metro station, from the fans after the loss away at Stoke.

The defense has been in shambles for Arsenal, mostly when the Frenchman didn't feature. The misery for the Gooners continues as they won't be able to watch their best player so far, Alexis Sanchez too, as he is ruled out by Arsene in order to give his best horse some rest.

Arsene further quoted: “Alexis will not travel and I don’t think I can play, for example, Koscielny. He didn’t play on Saturday and I don’t see why I should risk him for a game where’s there’s not a lot at stake. First place hypothetically, but there’s maybe a 10 per cent chance.”

Alexis has been by far the best player and Wenger realises that it's high time to rest his key men like Alexis, Koscielny, Ramsey before they clash against Newcastle in the Premier League. Arsenal take on Galatasaray in the elite UEFA Champions League game away from home this midweek with the second spot secured from the group and a very slight hope of topping the table. Dortmund play Anderlecht and defeat for Dortmund seems to be highly unlikely to happen.

Arsene need not to be told how important squad rotation is during this busy festive period and it's highly likely that Podolski will replace Alexis in that attacking midfield area on the wings.

Aaron Ramsey may be allowed to watch the game from the bench with Rosicky getting a bit of time on the pitch along with Campbell who might replace Oxlade-Chamberlain who had a brilliant season so far. One more chance that we might see is Sanogo or Welbeck starting ahead of Giroud as Giroud made his first start ever since coming from his injury 45 days before the expected date.

At the back, after sustaining injury in the tender achilles, Arsene made it clear that he won't rush Koscielny. Chambers might be employed as the centre back alongside Mertesacker as Debuchy might be in action in case Arsene opts him ahead of Bellerin on the right back.

Expected line-up

Szczesny; Debuchy, Mertesacker, Chambers, Bellerin; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Flamini, Ramsey; Campbell, Sanogo, Podolski