Wenger excited by next generation

ARSENE WENGER is ready to field the youngest side in Arsenal’s history tonight as they begin their Carling Cup adventure at home to Sheffield United.

“There is a possibility [it will be the youngest side ever],” said Wenger. “In the first team there are many players around 20. In the Carling Cup we will keep a few in there, but the side will be more between 16 and 19. At Arsenal you can say 20 and 21-year-olds are experienced.”

The manager confirmed that first-year scholar Emmanuel Frimpong (16) is in contention. “You are likely to see Gavin Hoyte, Abu Ogogu, Aaron Ramsey, Mark Randall, Jack Wilshere, Fran Merida and Carlos Vela. Maybe [Nicklas] Bendtner will play. [Alex] Song, Djourou and Lukasz Fabianski will be the experienced players.

“But you will have players like Emmanuel Frimpong and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, so it will be a very young side.”

The Gunners currently sit top of the Premier League following a weekend that saw them win 3-1 at Bolton, while title rivals Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester United all dropped points.

However, following a hectic travel schedule that included a Champions League trip to Kiev, Wenger will give most of his first team a well-deserved rest tonight.

Last season, a similar policy saw the Gunners reach the Carling Cup semi-finals, before they lost over two legs to arch-rivals Tottenham, who went on to win the competition at Wembley.

The Arsenal manager is in no doubt the latest batch of tyro talent have the potential to become big stars and will offer the fans a glimpse into the club’s future.

“I am very excited because it is a new generation where the youngest boy is Wilshere, then there is (Mark) Randall, Gibbs and so on,” said Wenger.

“I believe it is very interesting to see a new generation come through, which is a little bit helped by having more experienced players around them, even though they are also young.

“It is always an adventure of a young group together and they can give you a bit of a view of how life at Arsenal could be in three or five years’ time.

“It is a good opportunity for us to go through and for us to give young players a chance to show how good they are.”

Poland stopper Lukasz Fabianski is set to take over from Manuel Almunia in goal.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have tied up Johan Djourou on a new, long-term contract. The 21-year-old Switzerland international — who joined the Gunners in 2003 — has made four appearances this season, coming off the bench to replace injured full-back Gael Clichy in the win over Bolton.