Star midfielder Cesc Fabregas - with 11 goals so far this season - and attack-minded Alexander Hleb were both absent when the Gunners squad left Luton Airport for the Czech Republic.

Defender Kolo Toure and midfielder Tomas Rosicky, with a fresh groin problem, were absent through injury but Wenger elected to give two of his most consistent performers a complete rest.

The Arsenal manager had indicated he was ready to tinker with his selection as the season enters a crucial phase over the next eight weeks.

Alex Song, 20, is set to play in central defence with experienced Brazilian Gilberto recalled to his favoured midfield role, probably alongside the combative Mathieu Flamini.

In attack, Togo striker Emmanuel Adebayor may well start on the bench, with Croatian hitman Eduardo and Theo Walcott - who scored twice in the 7-0 demolition of Slavia Prague at Emirates a fortnight ago - likely to be given another chance to impress.

Wenger, however, has no qualms about his squad selection as Arsenal look to extend their unbeaten run to 26 consecutive matches, with a draw tomorrow enough to send the Group H leaders into the knock-out stages.

"It is always a gamble whatever decisions you make, but I trust the players I take," he said.

"Gilberto will play. He is captain of the Brazilian national team, you cannot say he is a big gamble.

"For me it does not change because we leave Fabregas at home that we cannot win the game."

The Arsenal manager, though, felt he had little option other than to give players a breather, with the hectic festive schedule approaching.

"Cesc has nearly played every single minute since the start of the season," said Wenger.

"If you get him injured, it's three or four games out. If you can give him a breather at some stage it is not too bad.

"We have a big enough squad to give the players a rest when it is needed, and so can cope without a winter break.

"Players who play abroad sometimes have the Christmas period to go home, but here in England they like to keep Christmas going and to have a break after.

"Let's not be stupid, we cannot go down to 18 in the league and you do not have less games than before, you always have more.

"But at the moment there is still a reasonable break in the summer."

Wenger has every faith Song - who spent a season on loan at Charlton - can slot into the centre-back role with little problem, as he did for the recent Carling Cup victory at Sheffield United.

"It will be a big test for him," said the Arsenal manager, who must do without Toure during the African Nations Cup at the start of 2008.

"He is very strong in one against one, reads the game well and is calm, good on the ball, that is important for us.

"If you ask him, he prefers to play central midfield, but I feel that he just wants to play.

"I never had any doubts about him. There are things that you cannot cheat when you see someone everyday in training."

Wenger is hopeful leading scorer Robin van Persie, currently recovering from a knee problem, will be back in action after the next international break.

However, the Arsenal boss is concerned Czech midfielder Rosicky could be facing another frustrating spell on the sidelines.

"He had a hamstring problem, came back after nearly out for four weeks, now he has a groin problem," said Wenger.

"At the moment, he is more prone to muscular problems but we have not found the real reason.

"You could see when he's fit he's a very important player to us, but when he comes back from injury it takes him two or three games to get back to his best, so it is vital for him and for us that we sort out his muscular problem.

"I do not think it is linked with the training regime. It is true it is intense but because he is a very genuine player on the pitch he plays always a bit like an engine that turns at 6,000rpm. He always plays to the maximum."

Wenger later revealed the results of Rosicky's scan meant the outlook was now more positive for the Czech midfielder.

"We feel he will be fit for Monday [against Reading]. He had a scan today and it came back clear," the Arsenal manager revealed at the official UEFA press conference in Prague this evening.

"It is a minor, minor, minor problem, we hope so."

Wenger added: "He is a very conscientious professional and you cannot fault him on his attitude.

"We think what is happening with him is never big problems, they are small ones."

Wenger maintained he had no concerns over his selection policy for tomorrow night.

"I said before the game against Manchester that I would rotate a bit more because we come into a period where it is needed," he insisted.

"We have a way to play the game and have 20 players who are very good, so it does not really matter. When the players need a breather, I will give them one."

There will be no complacency in the Arsenal camp ahead of tomorrow's game.

Wenger declared: "We want to finish the job we have started. We have nine points, but we know that it is not enough to qualify.

"We will be up for it and we have enough experience in the Champions League to know all the teams push to the limit.

"If we just think tomorrow we turn up and think 'well, we won the first game easily' then we will have a bad surprise tomorrow night."

Adebayor has netted six goals so far this season, but none in the last seven games.

The Togo frontman, however, remains content enough with his efforts for the side.

He said: "I am very happy with my form, but the most important thing for me is the team. First of all, we have to win.

"We are playing good football and I am happy to be a part of that, but of course as a striker you always want to score goals.

"Whether I am up front on my own or with someone else, I will always do what I can to help the team."