Arsenal coach Pat Holland says the Capital One Cup is crucial in a young players' development.

New under-18s coach Holland is delighted to see them get their chance, and says the match could be an important staging post in their nascent careers.

"The manager has been quite clever in that he has [for a long time] given young Arsenal players the opportunity to go into the competition and now it is commonplace," Holland told Arsenal Player.

"Some clubs are adopting [that approach] now, some haven't but are beginning to but Arsenal have been doing it for at least 10 years.

"Young players are looking for that chance to get into the team and are expecting that opportunity.

"They have to be prepared because it is still a big platform to go to the Emirates, or anywhere, and play for the first team. It is one of the major moves in a young player's career."