Home-grown talent driving Arsenal

Published on Wednesday 12 November 2008 21:11

ARSENAL's young team destroyed Wigan Athletic in the Carling Cup fourth round at the Emirates on Tuesday with a host of English kids playing a starring role.

Here, we take a look at Arsenal's English revolution.

&#149 Jack Wilshere

Midfielder. Age: 16

A skilful midfielder who has been with the club since he was nine. Mature, brave and creative, he is an England youth international. He made Arsenal history by making his full first-team debut as a substitute against Blackburn at Ewood Park in the Barclays Premier League in September. At 16 years and 256 days, he became the youngest player to represent Arsenal in both the League Cup and Premier League. Just 10 days later, Wilshere made his first competitive start for the club in the Carling Cup third-round victory over Sheffield United – capping a fine performance with his first goal in a 6-0 victory.

&#149 Kieran Gibbs

Defender. Age: 18

Formerly a midfielder but now operating as a marauding left-back, Gibbs was previously at Wimbledon but joined Arsenal when their academy disbanded and became Milton Keynes Dons. Made his debut against Sheffield United in October last year. Has yet to appear in the Premier League or Champions League but has been a regular on the substitutes' bench. His only first-team appearance this season, prior to the win over Wigan, was in the 6-0 win over Sheffield United in the third round.

&#149 Gavin Hoyte

Defender. Age: 18

Made his first-team debut in the 6-0 demolition of Sheffield United in the Carling Cup third round and is another example of the strength of Arsenal's academy. Has been at Arsenal since he was nine and is the younger brother of Justin, who joined Middlesbrough in August. Fast and athletic, Hoyte is comfortable across the back four but excels at centre-half. He has played at right-back in both Carling Cup successes this season.

&#149 Henri Lansbury

Midfielder. Age: 18

One of the longest-serving members of the club's academy, the tenacious midfielder is widely regarded as one of the brightest prospects of the set-up. He missed part of the reserve campaign last season because of international commitments with England Under-17s. Scored a hat-trick in the 5-1 victory over Burnley in the FA Youth Cup last term. He made his first-team debut against Sheffield United in a 3-0 win in October 2007.

&#149 Abu Ogogo

Defender. Age: 19

The Epsom-born youngster began his career as a midfielder but is more at home as a right-back. No-one made more reserve team appearances than Ogogo last season. A tough tackler he also has the vision and pace necessary to undertake attacking raids in the opponent's half.

&#149 Mark Randall

Midfielder. Age: 19

Randall is highly regarded and has already tasted Premier League action after coming on as a substitute in the final fixture of last season – a 1-0 win at Sunderland. Creative, composed and with remarkable vision, he appeared in the Carling Cup semi-final against Tottenham in January before spending the rest of the campaign on loan at Burnley.

&#149 Jay Simpson

Striker. Age: 19

Made his debut in the 6-0 thrashing of Sheffield United in the Carling Cup third round and his progress is a testament to the value of loan spells. He spent the vast majority of last season at League One side Millwall, where he was named the division's player of the year. His imposing frame and power make him a handful for defenders at any level. He already has a place in the club's history books as the first player to score a competitive hat-trick at the Emirates Stadium. His treble came in an FA Youth Cup tie against Cardiff in February 2007. He scored twice in their 3-0 win over Wigan in the Carling Cup fourth round on Tuesday night.

&#149 Emmanuel Frimpong

Midfielder. Age: 16

Born in Ghana but now a regular for England youth, Frimpong is an outstanding tackler with an eye for goal and a fine passer. He is an all-action midfielder and a dominating figure in the centre of the pitch. He was a key player for the Under-18 side last season, making 23 appearances and scoring five goals in the academy league. He is comfortable playing above his age level.

Simpson says kids can lift the Carling Cup

JAY Simpson believes Arsenal's kids can win the Carling Cup – after reaching the quarter-finals in style with a 3-0 demolition of Wigan at the Emirates Stadium.

The two-goal hero would love to face a full-strength Manchester United in the last eight to try and emulate his club's senior players, who beat Sir Alex Ferguson's side in a thrilling Barclays Premier League encounter last weekend.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger selected a team with an average outfield age of just 19 last night – but they dispatched Wigan with ease. Simpson's goals and a third from Carlos Vela sent the Latics crashing out of the competition and left the young striker hoping for one of the top clubs in Saturday's draw.

"I don't see why we can't win it," he said. "Everyone's confident, and the boss believes in us – so we hope we can win the next game and take it from there. All of us want a big side in the next round, because we want to test ourselves. That's what it's all about – playing against the big teams and seeing what you can do against them.

"I'd be delighted if Manchester United or Liverpool put out their first team against us. If they draw us and put out a strong side it would show they've got respect for us."

Simpson and his team-mates will not lack for confidence.

"It was very special for all the young players," he said of the victory over Wigan. "We came up against a Premier League side and we showed our quality.

"It was good for me to score two goals, but the result and the fact we're through to the next round are more important."

His performances so far are early dividend for the Gunners on a long-term investment of time and faith in Simpson.

"I've been with the club since I was eight," he added. "I've been working hard from that age and I'm starting to live my dream."

Simpson spent last season on loan at Millwall in Coca-Cola League One and won the division's player-of-the-year award. But he is determined to make a name for himself at the Emirates and hopes to be as successful as his boyhood Arsenal hero Ian Wright.