Arsene Wenger admits he considered resting Theo Walcott for Arsenal's 4-0 victory at Blackburn Rovers.
Walcott was in sparkling form for England in midweek as the teenage attacker grabbed a hat-trick in the World Cup qualifying win in Croatia.
The temptation to take Walcott out of the spotlight played on Wenger's mind, but the youngster set up the opener for Robin van Persie before Emmanuel Adebayor plundered a hat-trick.
Asked if he considered resting Walcott, Wenger told Sky Sports: "Yes, I rotate the players and I did rest completely Nicklas Bendtner, who didn't play at all.
"He had a little ankle problem and played two games for Denmark. We gave some time to Jack Wilshere, 16, and Aaron Ramsey, 17. It's good we have a young squad, but very talented."
Though there was an emphatic nature to the scoreline at Ewood Park, Arsenal boss Wenger was also keen to praise his defence.
He added: "I think we did well and it was a good defensive performance. Just because we scored four goals, you may think it was all Arsenal, but Blackburn played well.
"They were dangerous as well going forward and we had to defend very well, especially on crosses in the first half.
"The second goal before half-time certainly was a big blow for them and, after that, three and four came logically."
Wenger also believes his players are starting to hit their stride this season after making it three wins in a row in all competitions.
"I believe that fluency is one of our strengths and to be clinical was very important today," he continued.
"We have found slowly our rhythm and our pace. We scored four against Twente, three against Newcastle and four today and we slowly get confident and physically ready to play."
theo needs rest ba... maybe 1-2 games... let vela play left wing with ramsey at right... but last nite defence not convincing at all... when crosses come in look very buay zai... after 2yr+ of partnership, toure gallas combi still not stable enuff.... maybe wenger reali should shuffle the defence...