Wenger: Young Gunners can boost club

Arsene Wenger maintains giving youth a chance to shine in the Carling Cup will serve in the best interests of Arsenal’s future – whatever the outcome of tonight’s quarter-final at Manchester City.

Despite the disappointment of Sunday’s 3-0 home defeat by Barclays Premier League leaders Chelsea – which left the Gunners 11 points off the pace, albeit with a game in hand – Wenger will stick to the policy of handing vital big-match experience to the younger members of his squad.