Tuesday’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Championship side Sheffield Wednesday both interrupted a sterling run of form for the Gunners and also ignited a debate amongst fans regarding the timing of youth player loans. While Arsène Wenger regularly utilises the Capital One Cup as a showcase for younger players, many of the squad’s most promising youngsters have been on loan since August and September, making them unavailable for early season cup ties.
Speaking to Arsenal Player, Wenger addressed how loans affected the team composition for Tuesday night, noting several exciting prospects that might have played were they still with the team. Given the way Wenger treats the Capital One Cup, some fans have wondered why he does not delay loan moves for players until the club has exited the competition.
I think we were a bit punished by the fact we had many players out on loan, but it’s difficult to block them until November and not let them go just because you have a League Cup game.
So this season, for example, I had many players go who would have played on Tuesday night like Chuba [Akpom], Gedion [Zelalem], [Ainsley] Maitland-Niles, Dan Crowley – they would all have played. But I think about the development of the player and they are at an age where they need competition.
But Wenger makes the case that regular, first-team competition is better for the player’s long-term development than preparing for a sporadic cup competition, and while utilising top youth players may have altered the result on Tuesday, the benefit does not outweigh the cost in development.
We play them early so they arrive [in the squad] at the age of 19 and they’ve already played two or three years in the under-21s. You don’t feel they move forward anymore, they need something different, to feel that their progress continues.
The only thing is to play regularly for a first team that has a responsibility for results.
Expect a substantially different Arsenal squad to take the pitch at the Liberty Stadium to take on Swansea in a mid-afternoon Halloween contest.
