Arsenal stars train ahead of Carabao Cup quarter-final with West Ham as Arsene Wenger looks to rest key players ahead of busy festive period

• e-mail

Arsene Wenger will rotate his squad to face West Ham in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup ahead of a vital festive period in the Premier League. 

The boss led his side in a training session at London Colney on Monday morning but conceded some of the club's biggest stars may be absent on Tuesday night.

The Gunners face a tough test at home to Liverpool on Friday night and it appears Wenger may look to give certain players a rest in midweek. 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he will rotate his squad ahead of Carabao Cup tie 

Alexis Sanchez shared a joke with his teammates during a training session on Monday morning

The Gunners face West Ham on Tuesday night in the cup before facing Liverpool on Friday 

Speaking ahead of the quarter-final, Wenger said- via the club's website: 'Some players are a little bit on the edge.

'I think as well that we have so many quality players who did not start on Saturday, so you cannot say that you prefer to play a player who has played three games in six days to a guy who is at the same level and is completely fresh. 

'The players who will start are basically all international players, so that’s why I think [squad rotation] makes sense. 

'You have as well to show the trust and the confidence that we have in the players who did not start last week.'

Wenger has had to answer difficult questions about the future of some of his players ahead of the January transfer window. 

The likes of Olivier Giroud and Jack Wilshere are desperate for more game time to ensure a place in their respective World Cup squads and will be looking for another chance to impress in midweek.  

Olivier Giroud will hope to start for Arsenal after being starved of regular first-team minutes

Defender Per Mertesacker warms up at London Colney as Calum Chambers watches on 

Wenger may look to rest star player Sanchez ahead of Premier league clash with Liverpool

Friday night's clash with Liverpool could prove pivotal in the race for a top four finish this season and it appears to have taken priority over a potential trophy in the Carabao Cup. 

Their cup opponents West Ham have seen a turn around in their form under David Moyes but may also be much changed with one eye on Premier League survival. 

Wenger has kept certain players back for cup games this season and it seems the boss is sticking to his plan despite a place in the semi-final up for grabs.

It will be good news for the likes of Eddie Nketiah and Josh Dasilva though who trained on Monday and will likely have a role to play against the Hammers. 

Eddie Nketiah (left) and Josh Dasilva (right) will hope to make an appearance against West Ham

Youngsters Joe Willock (left) and Reiss Nelson (right) will be looking for a chance to impress