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Wenger determined to respect FA Cup heritage

Arsene Wenger admits the FA Cup could jeopardize his hopes of winning the Champions League but the Arsenal manager is determined not to disrespect the competition's heritage.

Wenger who takes his team to Championship side Burnley today, has seen past European campaigns run aground as his squad struggled to cope with the weight of the new year fixture list.

But although Wenger plans to rest several of his first team regulars at Turf Moor, he has reiterated his "love" for the cup he has won four times in his Arsenal career.

"The FA Cup is certainly in conflict with the Champions League -- with the number of replays you have if you don't go through first time and the fact they are always positioned in front of Champions League games, it is difficult," Wenger said.

"But I love the FA Cup and we all have a common desire to do well in every competition we play in. We will not sacrifice the competition -- we are highly motivated and if we lose it is because we were beaten by the better team on the day," he said.

BECKS TRAINS WITH ARSENAL

AFP,LONDON

David Beckham trained with Arsenal for the first time on Friday as the England star tries to maintain his fitness for international duty.

Beckham, 32, asked Gunners manager Arsene Wenger for permission to train with the club during LA Galaxy's off-season break and has made his first appearance at their London Colney base.

"We are helping him to work on his fitness and trying to keep it as quiet as possible," Wenger said. "We don't want to make something complicated out of something that is very simple. He doesn't live far away and always loved Arsenal. That's why we help him."
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