Jay Simpson scored his first Arsenal goals in a 3-0 victory over Wigan to secure the Londoners’ passage to the League Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday.
Strike partner Carlos Vela — 19 years old; the average age of the side — added a third as Arsenal cruised past their English Premier League rival. Meanwhile, a star-filled Manchester United labored to a 1-0 victory over League Championship side Queens Park Rangers.
Stoke, Watford and Derby also advanced from the fourth round of the second-tier knockout competition.
Arsene Wenger deployed an entirely different Arsenal side to the one that beat Manchester United in the league on Saturday. A full-strength Wigan faced the same lineup — bar one change — that dazzled in the last cup round in demolishing Sheffield United 6-0.
Chris Kirkland’s acrobatics kept Wigan in the match. The England goalkeeper blocked Vela’s attempt to round him, threw his body at Kieran Gibbs’ shot, turned Aaron Ramsey’s fierce shot wide with one hand, and denied Vela again with a diving save.
But the 19-year-old Simpson scored three minutes before the break after latching onto Jack Wilshere’s throughball.
A second was added in the 66th after Vela rampaged down the left wing and squared to the unmarked Simpson to sidestep home.
“We knew Wigan would give us a hard time and we had a lot to prove,” Simpson said. “[Wenger] has said he would stick with us and for him to show that faith gives us confidence.”
Vela, the 19-year-old Mexican striker who scored three in the previous round, made it 3-0 in the 70th when he chipped Kirkland.
A one-handed save by Arsenal goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski prevented Amr Zaki from pulling one back in the final minutes.
Wenger has encouraged young talent since taking charge of the Gunners in 1996, and could stick with this latest crop through to the final.
“I am very proud of the players and of the quality of the display,” Wenger said. “That’s the most complete side of youngsters I’ve had, and with many good young English players. It’s very good for the future of the club to see that it is in safe hands.”
Wigan manager Steve Bruce was staggered by their proficiency.
“They were frightening,” he said. “Arsene says it is the best crop of youngsters he’s had and when you think of the young players they have had in the past, that is some compliment.”
“They gave us a torrid evening. We’ve gone out of the cup with a whimper really. They created more chances against us than any other team this season,” Bruce said.
In contrast at Old Trafford, Manchester United were packed with Premier League regular despite making eight changes from the side that lost at Arsenal.
The English and European champions relied on Carlos Tevez converting a penalty in the 76th minute after Daniel Welbeck was fouled by QPR defender Peter Ramage.
“We deserved it,” United boss Alex Ferguson said. “We played with great energy and speed. It was always going to be tough to get that first goal because QPR’s defensive record is good, but overall I am pretty pleased.”
Premier League Stoke beat League Two outfit Rotherham 2-0.
Glenn Whelan scored from a free kick in the 21st and Danny Pugh slotted a low shot past Andy Warrington in the 59th.
Lee Williamson gave managerless Watford a 1-0 victory over Swansea with his 21st-minute goal after bursting through from midfield.
Derby raced into a 2-0 lead over Leeds through Emanuel Villa and Nathan Ellington. Luciano Becchio pulled one back for the League One side five minutes before the break, but could not find an equalizer.
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