By DPA,
London : Arsenal’s youth players produced another sensational performance, beating Wigan 3-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the Carling Cup.
Manager Arsene Wenger took an opportunity Tuesday to give the younger players in his squad a chance, his side having an average age of just 19.
Jay Simpson seized on a reverse ball from Jack Wilshere to open the scoring three minutes before half-time. He added a second from Carlos Vela’s unselfish square pass midway through the second half, before Vela chipped a sensational third.
Only the brilliance of Wigan goalkeeper Chris Kirkland prevented a far wider margin.
Arsenal had beaten Sheffield United 6-0 with similar youthful exuberance in the last round.
A second-string Manchester United side struggled to get the better of Championship side QPR but eventually went through 1-0 thanks to Carlos Tevez’s 76th-minute penalty.
Glenn Whelan and Danny Pugh got the goals as Stoke beat Rotherham 2-0.
In the games not involving a Premier League side, Watford won 1-0 at Swansea, and Derby pipped Leeds 2-1.