Wenger sees bright future for young Gunners

Arsene Wenger feels his young Arsenal side have come of age this season, but knows there is still plenty of work ahead.

The Gunners head to Old Trafford for tomorrow’s showdown with Manchester United having secured their place in the semi-finals of the Champions League for the first time.

Recording aggregate victories over European heavyweights Real Madrid and Juventus is perhaps even more impressive given the selection problems Wenger has faced this season.

Deprived of experience through injury, particularly in defence, the likes of emergency left-back Mathieu Flamini, Swiss centre-back Philippe Senderos, still only 21, and Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Eboue have all produced consistent displays in the sort of matches which really they would have expected to be taking in from the substitutes’ bench as part of their learning curve.

However, Wenger is the first to admit that form must be produced again and again if they are to follow in the footsteps of Manchester United’s great young talents, like Ryan Giggs, the Neville brothers, Paul Scholes and current England captain David Beckham.

“The intention is there, but we have to show that we can achieve what these boys have done,” the Arsenal boss said.

“The first signs are good, but after top quality it is always down to consistency and down to how far you go.

“The Manchester United boys have done it all and what is good, and maybe different, is that it is all in front of us.”

Wenger added: “I believe we are a little bit ahead of schedule, especially defensively.

“It takes time and usually when you build a team you would say experience at the back and up front. We have done the opposite.

“Lauren is out until the end of the season, he had experience; Ashley Cole was out for a long, long time and so was Sol (Campbell).

“We were in a position where we had young players to put in – and they learned very quickly I must say.

“Their challenge is to show that they can repeat, repeat and repeat, and to do what the Manchester United young players have done; the Giggs generation - Beckham, Scholes and Neville.

“They were very impressive the way they repeated it, and the hunger. Year in, year out they had the hunger to show that they are the best.”

Wenger believes the future of the current crop of Arsenal youngsters is a bright one as the club prepare to move to their new 60,000-seater Emirates Stadium next season.

“We have to realise that it is all in front of us and we have achieved nothing yet,” the French coach said.

“We have reached the semi-final of the Champions League – that is good, I am happy.

“The potential is in there, the results are good, but we have not done it yet.”

Wenger has called on his side to finish the campaign in style, by continuing their drive towards the European Cup final and also forcing themselves back into the top four of the Barclays Premiership.

“I do not deny the problem, but I have to combine both,” said the Arsenal boss.

“It is too risky. You cannot go just for the Champions League. It would be completely crazy.

“On the other hand, we do not want to neglect the championship. In the championship, the team has benefited from the win against Real Madrid. One can feed the other one.

“For us, to win against Manchester United would make us stronger in the Champions League.”

Arsenal will face Villarreal in the semi-finals of Europe’s elite club competition.

The Spanish side have impressed on their debut in the tournament, beating Everton in the qualifiers and also coming out ahead of United from the group stages following two goalless draws with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men.

Wenger intends to do his homework.

“I will watch these games. The two games against Manchester United,” the Arsenal boss said.

“Because it is very interesting for me to see how we do against Manchester United on Sunday and how Manchester United have done against Villarreal.”

Victory at Old Trafford – where Arsenal’s brilliant 49-match unbeaten league run came to a controversial end in October 2004 – would not only keep up the Gunners drive to climb the table, but it would also effectively put paid to United’s hopes of overhauling Chelsea to the title.

Wenger said: “Beating Manchester United will be for us a big sign to think that we can finish in the top four – that is the most important thing.

“After that, I do not care too much whether Manchester United or Chelsea win the title. For us that is not a big influence.”