Arsenal’s propensity to bring young talents through the ranks rather than signing players has brought some ire over the years, especially recently, but with the increased experience in the squad Arsenal can bed in their youngsters a lot more easily.

On that note, Arsenal are working to bring in some of Europe’s brightest talent to their youth system, as well as developing some they already have.

Arnold Paul Garita

This 17-year old striker has attracted the attentions of Arsenal and Newcastle, as well as a number of European clubs. He’s apparently so good that the manager of Chateauroux, the club he currently plays at, is afraid to use him in the first team lest interest grow too strong.

Arsenal announced their squad for tonight’s League Cup match against Coventry City today, with the usual mixture of youth, fringe players and a couple of first-teamers.

The full squad looks like this

Goalkeepers: Martinez, Shea.

Defenders: Angha, Djourou, Miquel, Santos, Bellerin, Squillaci.

Midfielders: Chamberlain, Coquelin, Frimpong, Yennaris, Arshavin, Eisfeld, Gnabry.

Forwards: Giroud, Chamakh, Walcott.

While Theo Walcott has been making headlines for the wrong reasons recently, with interviews over his contract demands and playing position, he gave Gooners something to smile about today instead.

When asked about Jack Wilshere, everyone’s favourite touchline-runner-overer was effusive in his praise. He said that the 20-year old midfielder “hasn’t lost it” and “spots things nobody else does”.

Theo Walcott has been somewhat of a pariah at Arsenal lately due to his contract debacle. From being “expected to sign”, the English forward rejected an offer of 75,000 a week from Arsenal, with reports suggesting he wanted a contract of around 100,000 a week like many of his England teammates are receiving.

Since then he’s not started a game and has made only peripheral contributions off the bench, with the general consensus being that he would leave in January or in summer for free.

CoventryThis Wednesday Arsenal will embark upon their 3rd trophy campaign of the season.  Historically, Arsenal should start well in this years League Cup competition against League 1’s Coventry.

The past provides positives

In our past 74 meetings with Coventry City we have won 41 games losing only 14.  However, we haven’t played the Sky Blues since 2001, so the fixture history won’t help us much with this one, especially as we tend to field a completely different team in this competition.

Also, the League Cup is a competition that usually provides a good run of games for the Gunners.  Last time we failed to reach the 4th round was in 2002 when we were beaten 3-2 by Sunderland.  Overall Arsenal have reached an impressive total of seven League Cup finals between now and 1968, although we have become famous for falling at the last in this competition, only winning two of our seven trips.