Arsenal's youngsters turn on the style
Mexican Vela rounded the night off with a brilliant third
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Tuesday, 11, Nov 2008 10:25
Arsenal's youngsters once again produced an outstanding display to beat a strong Wigan side 3-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the Carling Cup.
Arsene Wenger fielded a starting line-up with an average age of 18 and they destroyed their far more experienced visitors through two goals from Jay Simpson and an exquisite finish from Mexican striker Carlos Vela.
Wenger had made just one change from the side which defeated Sheffield United 6-0 in the previous round, and after a cagy start, his players showed that he was right to put his trust in their youth.
Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland made a string of first-half saves and Simpson, making his first start, hit the crossbar before he broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time.
16-year-old Jack Wilshere threaded a ball through the Wigan defence and Simpson outpaced Mario Melchiot, and stabbed the ball past the advancing Kirkland.
Wigan started the second period brightly but were outdone by a brilliant counter-attack after 66 minutes.
Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski punched a corner clear to Aaron Ramsey. The Welshman found Vela, who unselfishly squared to Simpson who registered his second.
The third came just four minutes later when Johan Djourou brough the ball out of defence and threaded a ball to Vela.
The Mexican's first-touch took him away from Titus Bramble, and his second was a delightful chip over Kirkland and into the net.
Fabianski made a brilliant double-save to deny Daniel de Ridder a late consolation for Wigan, but in the end the night belonged to Arsenal's young guns.