Wednesday 28 October 2015 11:37, UK
Paul Merson thinks Arsenal’s senior players let their young team-mates down during the 3-0 defeat to Sheffield Wednesday.
Arsene Wenger made eight changes to the side that beat Everton at the weekend with Alex Iwobi, Glen Kamara, Ismael Bennacer and Krystian Bielik all making their debuts in the Capital One Cup defeat at Hillsborough.
The Frenchman was very critical of his young players after the game saying they were not up to the standard required.
He told Sky Sports: "[The level] was too high for them. They are not ready to play at this level. None of them [are ready]."
A host of first-team stars - including Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil, Francis Coquelin and Santi Cazorla - were left at home but Wenger still named experienced players like Per Mertesacker, Olivier Giroud, Mathieu Flamini and Mathieu Debuchy.
The four or five older pros out there wouldn't get four out of 10 so what chance have the youngsters got? I feel sorry for them.
Merson criticised Wenger's comments about his young players - and questioned the performance of the older pros.
"I thought it was a bit strong," Merson said of Wenger's post-match analysis.
"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.
"When I started my career I needed the older players to help me through it. It doesn't matter how good players are or how good you are going to be, you need players helping you through.
"The four or five older pros out there wouldn't get four out of 10 so what chance have the youngsters got? I feel sorry for them."
