Arsenal's failure good news for Euro 2008 participants?

LONDON (AP) - France, Spain and the Netherlands could all benefit from Arsenal's failure to win a trophy this season when they play at the European Championship.

With the Gunners eliminated from the Champions League and out of contention for the Premier League title, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger plans to rest some of his key players for the club's final three matches.

Bakary Sagna, William Gallas, Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie could be among those set to get some rest and practice time at the end of the nine-month English season.

And that can only help their countries at the June 7-29 tournament.

"That is what I have to think about," Wenger said Thursday. "Maybe I'll have to give the players who go to the European Championships a little breather before they go."

Although it led the Premier League for much of this season, Arsenal has slumped since it was knocked out of England's two cup competitions at the start of the year.

The Gunners lost 5-1 to eventual winner Tottenham in the League Cup in January and, three weeks later, 4-0 to Manchester United in the FA Cup.

A run of just two wins in 12 matches followed, including a 4-2 defeat at Liverpool that ended the club's participation in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Arsenal is now set for a third straight season without a trophy.

France defenders Sagna and Gallas have each played 40 matches this season and Spain midfielder Fabregas 44, while Netherlands striker Van Persie has struggled with injuries for much of the past year.

And Germany could also benefit from Wenger's decisions.

Goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will be fully rested as he has barely played this season, but Wenger could choose to drop regular pick Manuel Almunia to the bench to give the Germany No. 1 some much needed match practice.