Henry: Give young Gunners time

Thierry Henry warned fans not to expect too much from Arsenal’s youngsters in the Carling Cup clash at Sunderland tomorrow.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger is likely to make significant changes to his starting XI, with Arturo Lupoli, 18, Quincy Owusu Abeyie, 19, and Sebastian Larsson, 19, all in line to figure.

Top scorer Henry is virtually certain to be rested – but the 28-year-old praised the contribution of the club’s youngsters this season.

The French striker said: “You don’t have a lot of players who arrive at 17 and are successful instantly.

“They have one or two years where they struggle as it’s difficult to handle.

“When I was their age, I was in and out of the Monaco team and I found it difficult at times.

“Most people heard of me only after I was 19, but I started at 17. I would score one brilliant goal and then people would say: ’Where is he?’.

“After 19, I was more composed, more of a man and understood the game better.”

Henry scored three goals as France won the World Cup on home soil in 1998.

But the former Juventus player maintained that victory could never have been achieved without Les Bleus’ strong group of experienced players.

He continued: “I remember when I came into the France national team with David Trezeguet and we were 19.

“If we’d all been 19 in the squad, what would we have done?

“But when you have the likes of Laurent Blanc, Didier Deschamps and Marcel Desailly to help you improve, [it is easier].”

Henry is not the only key first-team player likely to be given a break against Mick McCarthy’s team.

Fellow Frenchman Robert Pires is also expected to be rested alongside goalkeeper Jens Lehmann, defender Kolo Toure, midfielder Gilberto and forward Dennis Bergkamp.

Their absence means Cesc Fabregas, who is still only 18, should earn the chance to be an influential figure in central midfield for the Gunners on Wearside.

The Spaniard has made 13 appearances this term in an Arsenal midfield which is struggling to come to terms with life after Patrick Vieira, who left Highbury to join Juventus in the summer.

But Henry is convinced Fabregas merits a regular place in Arsene Wenger’s starting XI.

“Obviously Cesc is not yet as good as someone like (Chelsea’s) Michael Essien, but how can he be at such an early stage?” asked Henry.

“When I was 20, I wasn’t the player I am today.

“You can clearly see the talent of players like Robin van Persie, Jose Antonio Reyes, Cesc and Matthieu Flamini.

“They’re not at the level of someone like Gilberto, who has been playing at the top for years, but you need to give them time to let them grow.

“When you start in the game, you are never really at your best. And even when you reach 35, you can still learn new things.”