Wenger gambles on Taylor as Seaman ruled out

ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has been forced into a major goalkeeping gamble as he delicately balances European and Premiership ambitions after David Seaman had to put his 1,000th senior appearance on hold.

Seaman, 39, was due to clock up his milestone against Blackburn at Ewood Park today, but was ruled out with a hamstring injury which also makes him doubtful for Wednesday's trip to Valencia where Arsenal's Champions League fate will be decided.

And although 22-year-old Stuart Taylor is the only other eligible goalkeeper in the Champions League apart from untried teenager Craig Holloway Wenger has decided to put him in against Blackburn rather than Frenchman Guillaume Warmuz.