Arsenal Pre-Teens Thump Sheffield United

Bittersweet day for Sheffield United, eh? First they got a nice pot o’gold in the morning, then had their asses handed to them in the Carling Cup by the youngest Arsenal team ever fielded, which is truly an accomplishment. So young they had an average age of 19, something which must have warmed the cockles of Arsene’s heart.

Wenger had obviously decided on this long before the game:

“There is a possibility it will be the youngest side ever… 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 the experienced players.”

Truly. After all, only Lukas Fabianski, Johan Djourou, Niklas Bendtner and Alexandre Song are past their teens with the Polish netminder, at a positively ancient 23, was the elder statesman in the group. At the other end of the spectrum it was big money summer signing Aaron Ramsey and England’s next great hope Jack Wilshere at 17 and 16, respectively.

But hero for the day was the young phenomenon from Mexico Carlos Vela, who at 19 has seen enough tutelage in Spain to make his way up with the big London boys. Scored a triple and, in the process, looked every bit as tantalizing as the hype machine has suggested.

Once again, the youngsters in North London look ready to assume the Gunner mantle. Of course, that’s until they’re sold and a new batch is ready to drool over.

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Category: World Football