Young Gunners show their mettle

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Wenger’s new deal commits him to Highbury, and Ashburton Grove, until 2008. By then some of the youngsters on show last night could be leading the Gunners and in Robin van Persie and 17-year-old Italian Arturo Lupoli, the future looks in safe hands.

Although most of the contest was largely forgettable, Lupoli gradually got into his stride and while 21-year-old Van Persie took time to show why Wenger compares him to Dennis Bergkamp, he eventually managed it.