Wenger tells youngsters to seize cup opportunity

Arsene Wenger has challenged his latest generation of young Gunners to follow in the footsteps of Cesc Fabregas by using the Carling Cup as a springboard towards the Arsenal first-team. disappointment of Sunday's 3-0 home defeat by Premier League leaders Chelsea, which left Arsenal some 11 points off the pace, Wenger will stick to his policy of giving youth a chance against Manchester City on Wednesday, conceding the Carling Cup is "not one of our priorities".

Nevertheless, the Gunners boss will - like in the last round against Liverpool - select a squad capable of producing a positive result at Eastlands, where they were beaten 4-2 in September and former Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayorgrabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons.

The Carling Cup has long been a breeding ground for future Arsenal stars, and Wenger sees no reason the current crop of youthful talent, which includes Kyle Bartley, Sanchez Watt,Craig Eastmond and Fran Merida, should not go on to become first-team regulars.

"The number of players who have come here and progressed to become top-class Premier League players is considerable - and one of the reasons is we have played them in the Carling Cup," Wenger said.

"This policy has been extremely successful - not necessarily in terms of winning the tournament, although we have been in the latter stages, but just because it is good preparation for the players to play in the Premier League.

"Denilson and Alex Song are two very relevant examples now. They both played in midfield during our 6-3 win at Anfield three seasons ago, and are classic cases of how much this competition prepares players for the top-flight.

"Alex, at the time, was not really a favourite player in some eyes - and what has happened since gives you belief they can do it."

Wenger is likely to include some experience in the squad, with Philippe Senderos and Mikael Silvestre probable starters at the centre of defence, while fit again Lukasz Fabianski should return in goal.