YOUNG GUNNS GOING FOR IT

Wham! Bam! Arsenal whizz-kids book their place in last eight

- BY TOM CANTON

ARSENAL reached the Carabao Cup quarterfinals for the second season running thanks to their talented young stars.

With such a focus on just how much depth is available to Mikel Arteta, the cup competitions have been identified as big opportunities to end their trophy drought.

Yet the Gunners boss reached perhaps deeper into his squad than most expected, considering they were facing Premier League opponents Brighton.

The team that beat Crystal Palace last Sunday underwent wholesale changes. Arteta spoke of wanting to manage the load of his squad and, in particular, alluded to finding a way to rest Viktor Gyokeres.

He found a solution with a debut for Andre Harriman-Annous. The 17-year-old had been a part of the Spaniard’s preseason tour squad and is highly-regarded at the club, but few predicted a first start against topflight opposition.

Fabian Hurzeler went slightly stronger with five of the side that were beaten by Manchester United in the starting lineup.