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Team News: Jack Wilshere rested by Arsenal

By Joe Fish, Reporter | 20 April 2013

Jack Wilshere is only named among the Arsenal substitutes for their London derby with Fulham, who make four changes from the side that lost to Chelsea in midweek.

Arsene Wenger has opted not to risk the fitness of Jack Wilshere for Arsenal's Premier League trip to Fulham this afternoon.

The England international, who had missed six weeks of action with an ankle problem, played an hour in the goalless draw with Everton on Tuesday, but is only named on the bench at Craven Cottage.

Tomas Rosicky returns from his own injury to replace Wilshere in midfield, while Wenger swaps Kieran Gibbs for Nacho Monreal at left-back.

Fulham make four changes from the XI that started the midweek derby defeat to Chelsea for their clash with another fellow London club today.

Stanislav Manolev and Kieran Richardson will operate in the full-back roles, with John Arne Riise and Sasha Reither dropping out, while goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer makes his 500th Premier League start.

Alex Kacaniklic has returned from his loan spell at Burnley and is preferred to Mladen Petric in attack and Steve Sidwell is named in midfield after completing a three-match suspension.

Fulham: Schwarzer; Manolev, Senderos, Hangeland, Richardson; Enoh, Sidwell; Ruiz, Emanuelson, Kacaniklic; Berbatov

Arsenal: Szczesny; Sagna, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Monreal; Arteta, Ramsey, Rosicky; Cazorla, Walcott, Giroud