Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger admits the Gunners will not be at full strength for the FA Cup trip to West Ham on Sunday as he aims to keep them in the Premier League title race.

The Frenchman will not totally disregard the FA Cup (Arsenal 6/1 Outright -Money Back Special) as he looks to bring silverware to the Emirates for the first time since 2005, but he has his eye on the title first and foremost.

Wenger said: “I will have to rest some players, that is for sure. We want to win, but we want to protect our home games against Bolton and Everton as well, to keep the momentum going.

“The Premier League is always more important [than the FA Cup], but, in the eyes of the fans, we are looking for trophies.”

Wenger has agreed a deal for 16-year-old Brazilian forward Wellington Silva who will cost £3.5m, according to the youngster’s agent.

Wellington will not move to the Emirates from Fluminense until he is 18 but he has been identified as a player for the future.

The player’s agent, Rodrigo Pitta, told the Daily Mail: “We completed the transaction last week, the player is already Arsenal’s and Fluminense have already received some money.”

Whether or not Wenger moves for a striker during the January transfer window who could slot straight into his first team remains to be seen.