Pearce Tells Young Guns To Shoot Off

The Gunners' 3-0 thumping of Wigan Athletic on Tuesday had fans and pundits alike drooling over the quality of young English talent on display.

But Pearce insisted that one Carling Cup game a month is no way for the Jack Wilsheres of this world to earn their football education.

"It's vital that young players get experience playing football," he told The Sun.

"I was thrown into first-team football when I was 16, albeit as a non-league player, and played week in, week out.

"That's where my experience came from - by learning from my mistakes and learning from senior pros."

That might explain why 'Psycho' has not selected a single Arsenal lad in his squad for next week's friendly with the Czech Republic.

The Young Lions boss did, however, call up a trio of Chelsea boys: Michael Mancienne, Jack Cork and Ryan Bertrand, all of whom are plying their trade on loan in the Championship.

"I think the loan system is vitally important," Pearce continued. "If players are connected to the bigger clubs in the Premier League and they are not playing, they can get out on loan and get their first-team experience."

Pearce also urged young prospects at lower-league clubs - such as Leeds United's Fabian Delph - to resist the approaches of top-tier suitors.

"There's a few players who are playing regularly for their club," he added.

"The important thing is first-team experience. Whatever league they play in is irrelevant, they need to play regularly."