Gunners may axe Cup hero van Persie
The 22-year-old Holland international scored twice against Sunderland in a 3-0 Carling Cup win but Wenger has Jose Antonio Reyes returning from a rib injury and the Gunners will also have record goalscorer Thierry Henry available.
Van Persie has not started a Premiership game since the goalless draw against West Ham in September, and could be on the bench again with Dennis Bergkamp also in contention.
“There is a lot of competition up front,” Wenger said. “We have Reyes coming back, (Freddie) Ljungberg coming back.”
However, the brace at the Stadium of Light proved Van Persie is back on form. The youngster endured a troubled few months, in jail for two weeks this summer while under investigation after a rape allegation he denies.
Van Persie was also criticised for a wild tackle against FC Thun in the Champions League, which led to a red card and questions of his temperament following a similar dismissal against Southampton last season.
But Wenger was impressed with how Van Persie has overcome the difficulties of the summer and adapted his game to fit into the English top flight.
“His performance shows he is improving, physically he looked very strong and very mature,” Wenger said.
“I felt at the start of the season it took time for him to get over what had happened to him, it was one of the first times I have seen Robin van Persie back to his normal level, and even stronger.”
Meanwhile, Wenger confirmed the club could sign Mexican youngster Carlos Vela from Guadalajara in the future after the 17-year-old spent time with the club on trial.
“He was one of the young boys we had in training to have a look at but he has gone back to his club,” Wenger added.
“In one or two years we will decide but we cannot comment until he is of the age of 18 anyway.”
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