Wenger delighted with his young guns
Wenger has not been afraid to trust his instincts and play the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Philippe Senderos and Robin van Persie.
Aged just 17, 20 and 21 respectively, with Fabregas turning 18 today, the burgeoning trio are commanding places in the team ahead of the more experienced Edu, Sol Campbell and Dennis Bergkamp all on the bench for Monday night's 2-0 victory at West Brom.
In recent weeks they have been at the heart of an Arsenal resurgence which has seen the club embark on a 12-match unbeaten run, winning nine of the last 10 games. The latest triumph at the Hawthorns has restored Arsenal's four-point lead over Manchester United, and with three matches remaining they are hot favourites to finish as runners-up, and guarantee Champions League football for next season.
When you consider there are a number of other young players who have been given a taste of the limelight this season Mathieu Flamini, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Gael Clichy and Arturo Lupoli and who are all eager for more, Arsenal might just run Chelsea closer a year on.
"The youngsters played very well. They are wonderful," enthused Wenger.
"People forget we are where we are with so many young players, which at the moment is one of the positives of the season. They've gained a lot of experience, and they learn what it is to come to a place like West Brom and face a team that is battling relegation.
"In our position it is not easy to go with as many young players as we do because you cannot afford to drop points. But I feel we deserve a bit of credit for having played so many young players through the season."
It shows the likes of Campbell, Bergkamp and Edu are not guaranteed their places, and with the FA Cup final against United less than three weeks away, there is no certainty they will be recalled for the end-of-season showdown.
"That's part of the competition of the team, but if you want your young players to become better, then they have to play at some stage and so you have to give them games," said Wenger.
"At some stage we have to think somebody has to come in for Dennis Bergkamp because he will be 36 this year, although when you see him play you forget about that. But still the age is there, so you think is Robin van Persie good enough to come in for him at some stage? You only know that by playing players, and I have been given a few answers."
Van Persie provided one on Monday night with his ninth goal of the season to break Albion's spirit in the 66th minute after the home side had enjoyed the lion's share of the game to that point. But it is in defence where Arsenal have rediscovered their miserly ways, conceding one goal in their last 11 matches, and that without the influence of Campbell who has only recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off.
In his place, Senderos has been earning rave reviews and taking the plaudits, much to Wenger's delight as he added: "He is playing well. At the moment Sol needs an opportunity, and if he gets it then he will take it. I'm convinced because he is ready now. But it's very difficult when players are playing well to just push them out, but we have a team spirit, a club spirit.
"For me, Sol is the longer plan for years to come, but at the moment he needs to be a little bit patient, although he behaves in a magnificent way and that is credit to him."
The only negative Wenger can foresee, if Arsenal are to threaten Chelsea next season, is the size of the squad, and finances remain tight in terms of strengthening due to the club's current building of their new home at Ashburton Grove.
"We have a very thin squad of 20 players, with six or seven very young," said Wenger.
"But they are competitive, hungry, they want to be successful and to show how good they are, and the mix is good between young and experienced players."
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