Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is confident "seven or eight" of his young players will become first-team regulars after. The average age of the Gunners side in Tuesday's 3-0 victory over Wigan was just 19.

"If you ask me how many will play in the Premier League I would say about seven or eight," said Wenger.

"If you look at the team which played in the Carling Cup two years ago we had four midfielders who played against Manchester United two years later.

"We have a good idea about potential of players. Don't forget we also have (Lukasz) Fabianksi, (Alexandre) Song, (Johan) Djourou who are ready to play. (Gavin) Hoyte and (Kieran) Gibbs both have a future, so too Wilshere, and Simpson is a typical goalscorer.

"They are not ready to play week in, week out. When you look at level of competition the demand is too high.

"I have to protect their potential. They are developing and they will be ready if they continue the good work and if they have good attitude."