The likes of 17-year-old Wales international Aaron Ramsey, 16-year-old Jack Wilshere, Kieran Gibbs and striker Jay Simpson, who netted a brace in the last round, will all be in contention at Turf Moor, where veteran defender Mikael Silvestre will add some experience to the young squad.

Wenger's boys had taken apart Sheffield United 6-0 before Barclays Premier League outfit Wigan, who return to the Emirates at the weekend, were swept aside 3-0.

The Arsenal manager feels his current crop have what it takes to perform at the top level, and is glad he used the Carling Cup, a much-maligned competition, to prove the point.

"I believe part of the educational process is to show the players at some stage that you have faith in them. You have to give them a chance to show how good they are," he said.

"Until you see a player perform in front of 60,000 people against top level competition, you can never tell how good he really is.

"That is the final part of it and if we don't do it in the Carling Cup then we will never know."

Wenger added: "I believe too that it is easier for the club to promote the young players once the fans have seen them in action.

"People say 'why do you play Kieran Gibbs instead of buying someone?' - but if Gibbs had already played at Emirates Stadium, then people will understand why I have faith in them.

"But don't forget the policy demands a lot of patience and hard work.

"We have been doing it for years and you cannot just produce players of that quality on demand.

"I have been here for 12 years and we don't have this kind of quality every year."

Ramsey does not turn 18 until Boxing Day, but has already enjoyed an impressive start to his Gunners career.

Having opted for Emirates Stadium ahead of Old Trafford in a £5million summer move from Cardiff, the teenager made his debut in the Champions League qualifier against FC Twente.

Since then, appearances in the Barclays Premier League and Carling Cup have followed, with Ramsey notching his first senior goal in the 5-2 victory away to Fenerbahce at the end of October.

Now a full international after being part of a young Wales side which won in Denmark earlier this month, Ramsey feels he can go from strength to strength as he targets a regular place in Wenger's first team.

"I am really enjoying it. It has been a big learning curve since I joined, but I already feel as if I have learned a lot here," he said.

"Playing alongside world-class players in training every day is a big help.

"I just want to kick on now, try to make myself an established first-team player for Arsenal."