New Arsenal No2 Steve Bould says the Carling Cup should be used to blood their young players.

The likes of Nico Yennaris, Ignasi Miquel, Oguzhan Ozyakup and Francis Coquelin all played their part as Arsenal reached the quarter-finals.

"I am delighted," the former Under-18s manager told Arsenal Player.

"They [the young players] are a little bit disappointed they didn't go a little bit further but to have that many numbers involved is a credit to the whole Academy and the system that Liam Brady has put in place.

"It is a measure that our manager still uses to look at our young kids and wants them to come through. It's a fabulous experience for them and long may that continue.

"I know there are calls to win the trophy and of course that is major at first-team level because it's what you are judged on. But I think for us that is the perfect competition to blood our kids.

"Lots go out on loan and for whatever reason don't play enough games, so I think it is the perfect grounding for them."