Arsene Wenger once again urged cautious optimism after
watching his Arsenal youngsters book their place in the last 16 of
the Carling Cup with a 2-0 win over Newcastle at Emirates
Stadium.
The Gunners boss - whose side currently sit top of the Premier
League - opted for youth, and was rewarded with a quality
performance as his team chalked up a seventh straight win in all
competitions.
Wenger may have some £70million available should he wish to spend
it when the January transfer window opens, but stressed in his
programme notes "you have to use funds as wisely as
possible".
On the latest evidence, there are few areas which need
strengthening.
For long spells Arsenal dominated against Newcastle, and finally
made the breakthrough with seven minutes left when Nicklas Bendtner
powered in a header before Brazilian teenager Denilson smashed in a
20-yard effort to seal victory.
It was a composed display against a near full-strength Newcastle
side.
However, Wenger again stressed the need for everyone to keep
grounded - despite their start to the campaign.
"With football, I am a bit cautious," said the Arsenal boss.
"It is just the beginning of the season. We have to show we are
consistent throughout the whole season.
"What is a big strength of my squad at the moment is good
togetherness, good camaraderie and that everybody is on the same
wavelength.
"We just want to stay where we are. We have had a good start and
want to continue."
Wenger believes he has a crop of young players who can fit into his
first team whenever he decides he needs them to.
"The game was of the same level we played recently with the players
who did not feature, and with a style of play with a continuity,"
he said.
"We have wave after wave of generation of young players. We have a
small group of good quality, and very young.
"For me, all of them can play on a regular basis in the first team.
We have shown technical maturity and looked strong in every
department.
"With this team, we can have a chance against anybody."
Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce lamented the fact his team had to
play again so quickly, having been in Premier League action on
Sunday.
The visitors - who had five players starting from the team which
lined up for the win over West Ham on Sunday and were again without
injured England striker Michael Owen - had a small collection of
decent chances, falling mainly to Obafemi Martins.
Philippe Senderos, Arsenal captain for the night, had to clear off
the line after the Newcastle striker had rounded the goalkeeper -
before Denilson's effort made sure of the win.
"What we got in the end was a fatigued set of players who could not
run any more, and Arsenal capitalised on that," said
Allardyce.
"We are told to play and have to play. It is sad, but we had to try
to deal with it.
The Newcastle boss noted an unfortunate end to a competition he had
hoped his team could progress in.
"For Arsenal, this competition is fourth in the list. For us, it is
a high priority - to get as far as we can in the cup
competitions.
"Drawing Arsenal away with the mood they are in at the moment was
difficult enough, but to do it in these circumstances has
contributed towards our defeat."