Wenger ready to let Arsenal´s teenage stars off the leash

Arsene Wenger admits he is tempted to blood some of Arsenal's League Cup tyros in the Premier League after watching them destroy Wigan 3-0.

The north Londoners swept into the quarter-finals with embarrassing ease on Tuesday courtesy of two goals from Jay Simpson and Carlos Vela's exquisite third, two of 10 teenagers fielded by Wenger against a side which had made just one change from their previous top flight outing against Stoke.

It was a ludicrously accomplished performance from a side so tender in years and the only man left unsurprised was Wenger himself.

The Frenchman has overseen the development of this remarkable team at close quarters and insists they would not look out of place in the Premier League.

“It could be tempting to play them there,” he said. “The pressure is different in the Premier League but what they do is not a coincidence – it's quality. This was a big test for a young team and we had many under 18 but we stood up to the test.

“It was a remarkable combination of desire, energy and quality and we were up for it from the first minute. We were relentless and it was a fantastic win.

“These boys surprise everyone because it's a mix of character, commitment and calmness. They remained extremely calm under pressure and always played very good football.”

Wenger reserved special praise for Simpson – “his character and physical strength is excellent” – and Wilshere, who delivered a sublime performance from midfield.

The only blemish on the 16-year-old's Wilshere's evening was that he was unable to enjoy the bottle of champagne he received for the man of the match award.

His promptings and probings from midfield invited inevitable comparisons with his senior club mate Cesc Fabregas, who repeatedly showed his appreciation from a seat just behind the manager's dug-out.

“Jack's a different type of player to Csec – more of a dribbler, whereas Cesc is more of a passer,” Wenger observed. “But they could play good football together.

“They have the same good potential: they are both players of character and they're not frightened of going into the challenge. Jack takes the ball no matter where, it's all natural to him. They can complement each other very well.”

Arsenal had already forced Chris Kirkland into a string of fine saves when they took the lead through Simpson, who slid under the goalkeeper's body after latching on to Wilshere's precise pass.

The hosts survived a convincing penalty appeal for Johan Djourou's hand-ball just after half-time and the game was sealed when Vela burst past Emmerson Boyce and squared to Simpson, who lashed in from close range.

Vela then applied the coup de grace, the Mexican chipping superbly over Kirkland from 18 yards.

For Steve Bruce, the Wigan manager, this was a chastening experience. He admitted his side had been “frightened of Arsenal's age and ability” and that his team had “had their backsides kicked.”

The only positive was seeing Kirkland shrug off a stiff back to dazzle the watching England manager Fabio Capello.

“Chris is an outstanding goalkeeper,” he said. “He was a bit restricted because of his back but when he's fit, and Fabio Capello knows this, he will make a claim. He just needs to stay fit. He's outstanding.”