Arsene Wenger says Carl Jenkinson is ready to start Wednesday's EFL Cup quarter-final against Southampton after the Arsenal manager felt his defender "needed a breather".
The right-back started four games out of six before the visit of Bournemouth as deputy for the injured Hector Bellerin, but was dropped out of the squad against the Cherries completely as Wenger handed a surprise recall for Mathieu Debuchy.
It was a gamble that backfired as Debuchy was forced off with a hamstring injury after just 16 minutes, but Wenger defended his decision to leave Jenkinson out after he had just returned following a serious knee problem.
"Carl Jenkinson will play," the Gunners boss said. "I rested him completely against Bournemouth because he played two big games [against Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain] and I felt he needed a breather.
"Sometimes, mentally three games in a week demands a lot. Carl's back in tomorrow and we'll put Gabriel in the centre, and then we will see for Saturday.
"You forget that it's a big ask. Carl is very conscientious and it takes him time to play completely with freedom. He needs a run of games to play with freedom, so the fact that he can get another game tomorrow, I think we'll already see a different Carl."
Wenger also praised Southampton's academy for producing top talent for a number of years, with the likes of Gareth Bale, Adam Lallana and Theo Walcott all progressing through the ranks.
The latest graduate to make an impression is Josh Sims, who was named man of the match on his first-team debut as Southampton beat Everton 1-0 on Sunday.
The 19-year-old could play some part at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night as both sides look to put their name into the hat for the two-legged semi-finals.
And Wenger knows better than most just what quality can come from years in Saints' set-up, having poached three players from the club over the last decade.
"They have certainly been the most prolific producers of top talent in England in the last 15 years," he said.
"They have not only produced talent, but top talents. We have some examples at our club with Walcott, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers.
"But don't forget they've also produced top quality players like Gareth Bale, Adam Lallana and of course others. They do not only produce quality players, they scout very well as well because they scouted players like Sadio Mane."
Additional information from the Press Association.
