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2nd December, 2008
LONDON: Arsenal have put their Premier League campaign back on track and now Arsene Wenger is ready to watch his youngsters show there is a bright future ahead at the Emirates Stadium.
The 2-1 win at Chelsea on Sunday proved the Gunners have tremendous mental strength within their ranks, and the trip to Championship side Burnley in the League Cup allows the North London outfit to display their other strengths.
Manager Wenger will stick with his philosophy of using the competition to give his youth players a taste of senior football.
They have defeated Sheffield United and Wigan so far-without conceding a goal-and have high hopes of winning the Cup.
Wenger will rest his top stars in order to field youngsters including Gavin Hoyte, Carlos Vela, Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey, Jay Simpson and Lukasz Fabianski for the encounter at Turf Moor on Tuesday.
Wilshere, 16, is one of their most highly-rated players in terms of potential, but manager Wenger realises there will be tough times ahead.
“Let’s say the honeymoon is at the start. After that you are questioned,” Wenger said.
“The level of expectation becomes very, very high and you have to show you are ready to deal with that pressure.
“Sometimes it is terrible at 16 that is why I try to protect him. You do not want to put these players under too much pressure because at this age it can kill their appetite for the game.”
Defender Johan Djourou played in the weekend win at Chelsea, but is also likely to play in this one. He has much confidence in the teenagers being groomed by Wenger.
“We are proving people wrong and that it is possible to win things with a very young side and that we can play good football,” he said.
“Beating Wigan shows what a bright future Arsenal has and hopefully we can go all the way and win this competition.
“The mood is very good – all you need is one good result for that to happen. We know we have great potential and now we need to show our quality.”
These two sides last met in the FA Cup in January, when Arsenal won the game 2-0.
Burnley’s last win over the Gunners came in 1974, but this is a chance for them to increase their profile.
They were the heroes of the last round, when they defeated Chelsea on penalties at Stamford Bridge following a 1-1 draw.
Burnley forward Martin Paterson is set to start, and he said: “We have to be professional, turn up and work hard because if we don’t, they will pass through us and make us look silly.
“We don’t want them to come here and do that to us. It will be enjoyable to come up against some of their players, but we’ll be giving it a really good go.
“Going away to Chelsea was massive and a great experience, but we went there to beat them and it’s the same against Arsenal.
“We’re not there to take people’s shirts and be glad to have played against them, we are aiming to get through. They are top players and they are no soft touches.
“Everyone builds them up like they are, but they aren’t. They are brave because they play football.”
Burnley are currently fourth in the Championship table and have lost only one of ten home matches.
They have a slight concern over Wade Elliott, who has had a groin problem in recent weeks, while Christian Kalvenes and Remco van der Schaaf are doubts.
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