Arsène Wenger is contemplating including Reserve team striker Benik Afobe in Arsenal’s Carling Cup squad to face Tottenham tomorrow. The 17-year-old has been training with the first team over the past week.

Wenger is poised to stick with his traditional policy of fielding a young side despite facing North London rivals Spurs, who are set to name a strong lineup. The Frenchman is struggling for forward options with Nicklas Bendtner and Gilles Sunu still recovering from injuries, leaving just Carlos Vela and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas as potential options.

Afobe, who was named in the England Under 19 squad this morning, has been a Reserve team regular this season and could earn a place on the bench.

Elsewhere, Conor Henderson, Craig Eastmond, Havard Nordtveit and Henri Lansbury are all nursing knocks that rate them as 50:50. It means bit-part first teamers Denilson and Emmanuel Eboue may come in, while Johan Djourou is expected to return from Reserves duty to feature.

You can read more team news and a full preview on Young Guns tomorrow.