Arsene Wenger has heaped yet more praise upon his Arsenal tots after yesterday's 6-0 thrashing of Sheffield United, claiming he has never managed a better batch of young talent...
Wenger said in The Sun: “This is the best group of youngsters I have had in all my time at the club.
“They might be young but they don’t play like kids. I wouldn’t be scared to play any of them in the Premier League because they all have the talent to play at the top level.”
The Arsenal manager fielded his youngest-ever side against the Blades last night, with no less than nine teenagers starting as the Gunners romped into the fourth round of the Carling Cup.
It was a magnificent all-round performance from the children of Ashburton Grove, and one which has gone along way toward justifying Wenger's decision not to splash out in the transfer market.
“They are the best group I’ve ever had because there is not one player in any position who does not have the real quality of the Premier League,” the Frenchman continued.
“Even I was surprised at how well they have done tonight. I knew they were good but I did not know how they would react to playing on the big stage.
“But from the goalkeeper right through to the forwards, they all did very well.”
Mexican forward Carlos Vela starred with a brilliantly executed hat-trick, while Danish striker Nicklas Bendtner continued his goal-getting form with a brace.
And yet perhaps the most impressive performer was Jack Wilshere, the 16-year-old Englishman who capped his accomplished display in midfield with the fifth of Arsenal's six strikes.
But Wenger refused to single out individuals for praise, instead focusing on the collective effort and the importance of keeping the group together.
He added: “We looked like a complete team and I am very proud of that.
“Now the challenge is to keep them all together and integrate them into the first team over the next couple of years.”
