Former Arsenal player Paul Merson has urged fans not to lay the blame of the Capital One Cup defeat at the hands of Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on youth players.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Merson said that the young players were let down by the first-teamers not playing well enough.
I think he should be looking more at his seasoned pros. The more experienced players let the young kids down. They are making their debuts in an away game in front of 30,000 people. It’s a very difficult game.
Merson cited the fact then when he was starting his playing career, he relied on the more experienced players to teach him the ropes and guide him, and said that the fact that the first teams players ‘couldn’t get four out of ten’ will not be encouraging for the youngsters trying to learn from.
The woeful Arsenal were dispatched 3-0 by an impressive Sheffield Wednesday, and Arsene Wenger lambasted the young players in his post match news conference, which Merson feels was harsh.
Arsenal will hope for a better performance when they travel to south Wales on Saturday, for a league encounter with 12th placed Swansea City.
