A young Arsenal side have overcome Liverpool 2-1 in the Carling Cup fourth round to progress to the quarter-finals.

Arsene Wenger continued with fielding a young side for the competition despite Liverpool's Rafael Benitez going with a fairly strong eleven for the beginning of the contest.

The first goal went to Arsenal coming from Spanish U20 Fran Merida who blasted a left-footed shot past Cavalieri Diego to send the 60,000-strong Emirates Stadium crowd into raptures.

But seven minutes later, the Reds were back on even terms thanks to a piece of brilliance from first team regular Emiliano Insua who looped a 25-yard shot over Gunners goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski to open his account in English football.

Arsenal were displaying a better style of game, knocking around passes at will but Liverpool were managing to stem the flow and even create some chances themselves.

In the 50th minute, Gunners striker Nicklas Bendtner produced a powerful finish to again put Arsenal ahead and that's the way the match ended.

Liverpool's Alberto Aquilani finally made his debut for his new club, coming on in the 76th minute but could not inspire his team to overcome Wenger's young Gunners.