Arsene Wenger's warning for benchwarmers Mertesacker, Szczesny and Welbeck

ARSENE WENGER has warned Arsenal’s benchwarmers that competition for the first-team is all part of the job.

Arsene WengerGETTY

Arsene Wenger has had a word of warning for Arsenal's fringe players

The likes of Per Mertesacker, Wojciech Szczesny and Danny Welbeck have all been dropped by the Gunners boss in recent weeks.

But Wenger insists competition for a starting berth is important in helping the club achieve its targets.

The Frenchman said: “People always raise questions when you do not have enough players and when you have enough players.

“I would just like to say that we have chosen a job where competition is part of our job. That means we cannot complain about that. We made that choice.

“Our job is to serve the club and compete with other people to do as well as we can.

“The only important thing is what the club achieves.”

Wojciech SzczesnyGETTY

Wojciech Szczesny could return to first-team action on Monday night

Szczesny, who lost his first-choice status at the turn of the year due to a number of costly performances, is in line to prove himself on Monday night (7.45pm) when the Arsenal face Manchester United in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.

However, Wenger claims he must overcome a fitness test today if he is to feature at Old Trafford.

“He will have a test today and if he gets through that he will play on Monday night,” he said.

“Wojciech is used to playing big games and I think that he will take it as a big challenge to show his quality.

“He works very hard and I don’t think [his lack of match action] will be a problem.”

WelbeckGETTY

Arsene Wenger has high hopes for Danny Welbeck despite dropping him to the Arsenal bench

Welbeck - who signed from United in the summer for £16m - has started on the bench for the last two outings against Everton and QPR.

But the England international could make his Old Trafford return on Monday after Wenger insisted he remains a key member of the north London side. 

“He is very important to the team,” the 65-year-old tactician said.

“Danny has played many, many games since the start of the season, playing in nearly every single game.

“I’m very, very happy that I bought him and I think he has a great future at Arsenal.”

Gabriel PaulistaGETTY

Gabriel Paulista won't play at Old Trafford due to a hamstring problem

Gabriel will be out for two to three weeks

Arsene Wenger

One player from Wednesday’s 2-0 win over QPR that won’t play on Monday is January signing Gabriel Paulista.

The Brazilian centre-half picked up a hamstring complaint at Loftus Road and could face three weeks on the sidelines.

Wenger said: “Gabriel has a little hamstring injury and he will be out for two to three weeks.

“That means he’s not available for the weekend and certainly not for West Ham, nor Monaco. But after that he should be available again.”

Arsene Wenger manager profile

Wenger has failed to leave Old Trafford with a victory since 2006, but he believes his side’s recent away form could end his winless run at the Theatre of Dreams.

The Gunners have won four of the last five outings away from the Emirates.

He said: “I don’t believe too much in history I believe just in the performance of the day.

“At the moment we are doing very well away from home and the size of the pitch is exactly the same everywhere.

“It is just down to how we turn up and how much effort we put in to win the game.”

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