Arsene Wenger is likely to field an experienced side in Wednesday night’s Capital One Cup third-round clash at Tottenham.

Arsenal last faced their rivals in the competition back in 2010, when a youthful side won 4-1 at White Hart Lane after extra-time.

Wenger often uses the League Cup to give the club’s rising stars a chance, but he says that will change for the north London derby.

"It is an opportunity for Arsenal to win an important game and for the players who play for the club to defend our club and qualify" Arsene Wenger

“It will affect it because at the moment the youth-team players, many of whom are ready to play for us, are away on loan,” he told Arsenal Player.

“The next players who have the talent are not completely ready to play at that level. With the difficulty of the opponent as well, you do not want to throw them into a game where they look out of place.

“There are no fringe players [here], there is only a first-team squad. It is an opportunity for Arsenal to win an important game and for the players who play for the club to defend our club and qualify.

“Apart from that, we played with the team in Zagreb and we didn’t win, so we want to come back now and win our cup games because that’s vital for us.”