The Future's Bright...The Future's Arsenal

"You don't win anything with kids" - Alan Hansen

If Arsenal carry on playing like they have been doing recently, then they will take that quote and shove it back down Mr Hansen's throat (if Man United haven't already done that).

Arsene Wenger was heavily criticised throughout the summer transfer window for not spending enough, which in itself is ludicrous, especially considering the fairly expensive buy of Samir Nasri.

Wenger was criticised even more for continuing to show faith in his young team.

The Professor always knows best.

As usual, he didn't listen to a word they said, nor conform to the masses agreeing with the words written in the newspapers.

Now who is laughing? Arsene Wenger is.

His group of talented youngsters have made a great start to the season. They currently top the Premier League, beating Blackburn 4-0 along the way, and have tonight thrashed Sheffield United 6-0 in the Carling Cup.

The Carling Cup win is impressive on it's own. And when you learn that the average age of the Arsenal team was just 19 (yes only 19!), it becomes even more impressive.

The youngsters are showing their enormous potential, and when the experience joins the talent, great players will be created. Wenger, in playing them in the Carling Cup, is giving them that experience, and is therefore creating a whole new generation of potentially great players.

If he can keep hold of all his youngsters, or the vast majority of them, for the next seven or eight years, plenty of trophies will come his way.

However, a problem with building a squad from youth is that it takes time. Time to win trophies. Time to develop into great players.

And time for managers is something lacking in today's world. If the chairman doesn't get restless, then some players may. The young players who Wenger and the Arsenal staff have moulded, nurtured, and cared for could leave in the blink of an eye if a rich, successful club see their potential and come knocking.

It has happened before for Wenger, and it will happen again. But if "The Professor" can inject loyalty into his youngsters, then the future is very bright for Arsenal.