MATCH of the Day pundit Alan Hansen once famously remarked, You win
nothing with kids', and nine months later a Manchester United team
brimming with exciting young talent completed the league and cup
double.
Now the Wenger boys of Arsenal are threatening to emulate United's
class of 1996, having stormed to the top of the Premier League
table, on the back of some breathtaking football.
Still in the hunt for silverware on four separate fronts, the
Gunners have only been beaten twice - by Seville and Middlesbrough
- in 27 games in all competitions this term.
With young guns like Cesc Fabregas and Robin Van Persie having
emerged from the shadow of Thierry Henry, Arsenal are going to take
some stopping according to Rovers boss Mark Hughes, who sees some
striking similarities between Wenger's present crop of youngsters
and that famous United team of 96.
"They seem to have the same mentality. They will be competitive,"
said Hughes.
"They have a mentality where they expect to win games, not hope to
win.
"The United lads - the likes of David Beckham, Paul Scholes, the
two Nevilles and Nicky Butt - all had that mentality and you saw
that right from their days in the youth team.
"Now you see that, too, in the likes of Fabregas and Van
Persie."
In the past, Wenger has tended to use the Carling Cup as a vehicle
for blooding many of the club's brightest, young prospects, so
Hughes is expecting his Arsenal counterpart to ring the changes
this evening.
However, such is the strength in depth at the Emirates, whatever
side Wenger ultimately puts out will still be competitive.
"It is difficult to prepare for because, personnel wise, we are as
much in the dark as anyone else," said Hughes.
"They might include Van Persie because he didn't play much at the
weekend, so he could get more game time, but it's difficult to call
it.
"At the end of the day, they have two exceptional teams. There's
the first choice team and a team made up from the other exceptional
players they have."