Wenger's army of League Cup kids: From World Cup winner and Premier League champions... to non-league football and early retirement. So, where are they now?

Jose Mourinho backed down on his threat to field Chelsea's Under 21 development side against Arsenal in the Capital One Cup – but maybe that's because he's going up against the King of the Kids in Arsene Wenger.

The Arsenal boss is renowned for blooding his youngsters in the competition. Apart from his first season in charge he has always used the League Cup to give the 'kids' a chance of first team action.

Sportsmail takes a look at a selection of players who have made an appearance in the past - and what they're up to now...

October 14, 1997

Arsenal 4-1 Birmingham

Luis Boa Morte, forward

A 20-year-old Luis Boa Morte scored to take the game into extra time and then added a second. His long career took him to Southampton, West Ham and Fulham in the Premier League but he also played for Chesterfield in League Two, in Greece and America. In the summer the 36-year-old signed for Hampshire Premier League side Four Marks in the 12th tier of English football.

Nomad career: Luis Boa Morte spent time at Southampton, Fulham and West Ham and is now in the 12th tier



Jason Crowe, defender

The right back, 19, came on for Lee Dixon in extra time only to be sent off within 33 seconds for a foul on Martin O'Connor – the fastest debut sending off in history. He only made two more appearances for Arsenal, one from the bench in the League Cup and another in the FA Cup. He went on to a career in the lower leagues and at 35 is now playing non-League football at Corby.

Quick starter: Jason Crowe was sent off just 33 seconds into his Arsenal debut - the fastest in history



Paolo Vernazza, midfielder

Featured little for Wenger even though he was handed his debut in this match aged only 18. He had two loan spells and was eventually sold to Watford for £350,000. Now playing non-League football at Grays in the Ryman Premier League.

Lower leagues: Vernazza didn't play much under Wenger, was sold to Watford and is now at non-League Grays



Matthew Upson, defender

Eighteen-year-old Upson signed that summer from Luton for £2m and made his cup debut against Birmingham. He went on to a career of top-flight and international football, once commanding a fee of £6m when he joined West Ham and scoring against Germany for England at the 2010 World Cup. He is now at Brighton in the Championship.

Commanding: Matthew Upson didn't quite make the grade at Arsenal, but went on to star for Birmingham, West Ham and appeared at the 2010 World Cup (below). He is still playing in the Championship for Brighton (right)



October 28, 1998

Derby 1-2 Arsenal

David Grondin, defender

He only went on to make four appearances for Arsenal after his debut at 18, including their 5-0 hammering by rivals Chelsea in the next round. He played in Scotland for Dunfermline but retired from football early in 2004.

Early retirement: David Grondin made just four appearances before moving to Dunfermline and Mouscron



November 1, 2000

Ipswich 2-1 Arsenal

Stuart Taylor, goalkeeper

The goalkeeper, 20, was handed his chance in the League Cup against Ipswich after being behind David Seaman and John Lukic in the pecking order, but they lost to an 89th-minute goal scored by James Scowcroft. He is now at Reading. Between 2008 and 2013 he did not make a Premier League start despite being contracted to Aston Villa and Manchester City.



No 2: Stuart Taylor has been a back-up goalkeeper at a number of clubs and is now at Championship Reading



Ashley Cole, defender



The most-capped full back ever to play for England, Cole was deployed higher up the pitch in midfield early on, playing in this match aged 20. He went on to a long and successful career at Arsenal, before joining rivals Chelsea.

One of the best: Ashley Cole has been a star performer throughout his career for Arsenal, Chelsea and England



Jermaine Pennant, midfielder

There was a buzz of excitement around the £2m signing of 16-year-old Pennant from Notts County. He was given his first chance in the cup aged 17. He has struggled with off-field problems in his career but is still a top-flight regular at Stoke.

Teenage star: Jermaine Pennant didn't live up to his early promise but has enjoyed a solid top-flight career



Graham Barrett, striker

The Striker came through Arsenal ranks. This was his only start, aged 19, and he only made two more sub appearances in the league before moving on. Played in the lower leagues, then moved to Scotland before ending his career at Irish side Shamrock Rovers.

Limited chances: Graham Barrett played only three times before moving on

Lee Canoville, defender

Aged 19 he came off the bench for 16 minutes – the only professional football he'd play for Arsenal. Now at United Counties League side Spalding United, aged 32, he has played mainly non-League football in his career.

Short lived: Lee Canoville played just 16 minutes for Arsenal, and has mostly played non-League



November 5, 2001

Arsenal 4-0 Manchester United



John Halls, defender



The 19-year-old Halls came on in the 50th minute for Giovanni van Bronckhorst but was sent off 22 minutes later for a second yellow. He was handed two more chances with substitute appearances in the League Cup but after three loan spells was eventually sold to Stoke for a nominal fee. Retired through injury in 2012 following spells with Brentford, Aldershot and Wycombe.



Red mist: John Halls picked up two bookings in 22 minutes on his debut and played twice more for Arsenal



Rohan Ricketts, midfielder

His only ever appearance for Arsenal was in this match aged 19 when he came off bench in 72nd minute for Jermaine Pennant. His career has stretched far and wide, playing in England (for north London rivals Tottenham for a spell), Canada, Hungary, Moldova, Germany, Republic of Ireland, India and Ecuador, where his most recent team were Club Deportivo Quevedo.

Mover and shaker: Rohan Ricketts played just once for the Gunners before a nomadic career with Spurs, then spells in Canada, Hungary, Moldova, Germany, Republic of Ireland, India and Ecuador



Carlin Itonga, striker

The Congolese striker, 19, made his only Arsenal appearance coming off the bench for four minutes. He moved to Enfield before later playing at Cambridge City, Kettering Town and Fisher Athletic but retired early in 2004.

Just once: Carlin Itonga played only once for Arsenal before moving to non-League

November 6, 2002

Arsenal 2-3 Sunderland

Kolo Toure, defender

A young Toure, 21 at the time, signed for Arsenal early that year but was handed his chance against Sunderland. It wasn't the happiest of games as they shipped three goals. He played in defensive midfield or right back early in his career. It was not until next season where he was a regular alongside Sol Campbell at centre back and went on to become one of the most formidable defenders in the Premier League landing at Liverpool via Manchester City.

Formidable: Kolo Toure has established himself as one of the best defenders of the Premier League era



October 28, 2003

Arsenal 1-1 Rotherham (Arsenal won on pens)

Gael Clichy, defender

He was predominantly a back-up to Ashley Cole when he first signed for Arsene Wenger as a teenager but he made his debut against Rotherham at only 18. Now at Manchester City after Arsenal handed their rivals yet another top-class defender.

Rivals: Gael Clichy established himself as the successor to Ashley Cole but then moved to Manchester City



Cesc Fabregas, midfielder

He became the youngest player to represent the club at 16 years and 177 days in his debut against Rotherham. So new was he that media called him Francesc Fabregas before he adopted the now commonly-known Cesc. Now considered one of the best midfielders on the planet, at Barcelona and is a world and European champion.

Jewel in the crown: Cesc Fabregas is now considered one of the best midfielders in the world



Jeremie Aliadiere, striker

The 20-year-old Aliadiere scored the opener in the 11th minute. Wenger tried his hardest to make the Frenchman a success in north London but eventually conceded defeat in 2007 when he was sold to Middlesbrough. Now playing in France for Lorient.

Opportunities: Jeremie Aliadiere was given time to succeed by Wenger but he left in 2007 - now at Lorient



October 27, 2004

Manchester City 1-2 Arsenal

Sebastian Larsson, midfielder



This was his debut for Arsenal at only 19, but he struggled to make a real impact at the club. He played three more times in the Carling Cup that year but couldn't quite crack it at Arsenal. His success at Birmingham earned him a move to Sunderland and the set-piece specialist is now a regular in the Premier League.

Later success: Sebastian Larsson didn't make it at Arsenal but is now a regular at Sunderland



Daniel Karbassiyoon, striker

A 20-year-old Karbassiyoon came off the bench in the in the 82nd-minute to score a last-minute winner. A knee injury cut his career short aged just 22 but he is now a scout for Arsenal in north America.

Knee trouble: Daniel Karbassiyoon's career was cut short by a knee injury but he still scouts for the club



October 25, 2005

Sunderland 0-3 Arsenal

Fabrice Muamba, midfielder



The popular midfielder whose career was cut short after suffering a heart attack on the pitch at White Hart Lane last year made his Arsenal debut against Sunderland aged 17. He had come through their academy. Muamba was establishing himself at Bolton, for whom he signed for £5m, before he was forced to stop playing.

Cut short: Fabrice Muamba saw his career ended after he suffered a heart attack while playing for Bolton



Nicklas Bendtner, striker



When the controversial striker was 17 he came off the bench for his Arsenal debut in the 90th minute of this match. The 25-year-old has had loan spells at Birmingham,Sunderland and Juventus but is still trying to make it into Wenger's first team.

Back in red: Nicklas Bendtner's Arsenal career seemed to be over but he is back trying to earn a starting spot



October 24, 2006

West Brom 0-2 Arsenal

Matthew Connolly, defender



At 19 this was Connolly's only start for Arsenal and he made one other appearance from the bench in the same competition. Now a defender for Cardiff, so he's made it back into the top flight.

Solitary: Connolly made just one appearance for the Gunners, but is in the Premier League with Cardiff



Mark Randall, midfielder

Randall made his debut against West Brom aged 17 but was not deemed good enough and, after three loan spells into the lower leagues, moved to Chesterfield on a free transfer in 2011, where he now plays in League Two.

Free transfer: Mark Randall moved to League Two Chesterfield in 2011, where he still plays



September 25, 2007

Arsenal 2-0 Newcastle

Fran Merida, midfielder

After joining from Barcelona's academy at the age of 15, Merida made his competitive debut two years later in a third round League Cup win against Newcastle. A 91st-minute substitute against the Magpies, Merida went on to make a handful of appearances for the Gunners before leaving on a free transfer to Atletico Madrid in 2010. He currently plies his trade with Brazilian side Clube Atletico Paranaense.

Back to Brazil: After joining from Barcelona as a 15-year-old, Fran Merida is now playing in Brazil

October 31, 2007

Sheffield United 0-3 Arsenal



Lukasz Fabianksi, goalkeeper

Now in his seventh season under Arsene Wenger, Fabianksi made his debut as a starter in Arsenal's comfortable 3-0 League Cup win over Sheffield United. The Poland keeper, who captained a young Gunners team on the night, is currently second-choice to international team-mate Wojciech Szczesny.

Stalwart: Lukasz Fabianski is now in his seventh season under Wenger, and is the current No 2



November 11, 2008

Arsenal 3-0 Wigan



Amaury Bischoff, midfielder



A free transfer from Werder Bremen in the summer of 2008, Bischoff came off the bench against Wigan with a little under 15 minutes to play for his first taste of senior Arsenal action. A single Premier League appearance followed before he was released. Now 26, Bischoff is currently playing in the third tier of German football with Preussen Munster.

Injury woe: Amaury Bischoff was released after a string of injuries kept him out of action

24 September 2008

Arsenal 6-0 Sheffield United

Carlos Vela, striker



Following a substitute appearance in a 3-0 win over Newcastle the previous month, Vela burst onto the scene with a hat-trick against Sheffield United in his first start for the club. Glimpses of quality shone through at times but after a successful loan spell with Real Sociedad in 2011-12, the Mexican forward was allowed to join the Spanish club permanently the following summer. Arsenal maintain a buy-back clause should they wish to sign him for a second time. Loves a dinked finish.



Fast start: Carlos Vela burst onto the scene with a debut hat-trick but he is now at Real Sociedad



22 September 2009

Arsenal 2-0 West Brom

Wojciech Szczesny, goalkeeper



Now Wenger's first-choice in between the sticks, Szczesny made his competitive debut - and kept his first clean sheet - in the third-round League Cup victory over West Brom. The Poland No 1 has gone on to make over 100 appearances for the Gunners, although he could be set for a rest against Chelsea on Tuesday.

No 1: Wojciech Szczesny remains Wenger's first choice between the sticks

Gilles Sunu, striker

In one of the briefest Arsenal careers of all time, Sunu made one of only two Arsenal appearances in the win against the Baggies. He enjoyed a small taste of Champions League action in a group game with Olympiacos later that year but was deemed surplus to requirements. Loan spells at Derby County and French side Lorient followed, before he joined the latter on a permanent deal in 2011.

Brief: Gilles Sunu made just two substitute appearances and is now at Lorient

Sanchez Watt, striker

Scorer of the winning goal on his debut against West Brom, Watt's pace and direct style promised much at first glance. Unfortunately for the Arsenal faithful, the forward failed to develop into a Premier League player. Loan spells at Southend United, Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Crawley followed, before a permanent move to League One Colchester United in the summer.

Red to blue: Sanchez Watt is now at League One Colchester after coming through Arsenal's academy system



21 September 2010

Tottenham 1-4 Arsenal (AET)

Henri Lansbury, midfielder

Despite making his first team debut in the League Cup in 2007, Lansbury made his first and only start for Wenger in this memorable north London derby. He struck the opening goal and played all 120 minutes but couldn't force his way into the Gunners' talented midfield. Loan spells at Norwich and West Ham followed but he's now attempting to win promotion to the Premier League with Nottingham Forest after signing a permanent deal in the summer of 2012.

Exit door: Henri Lansbury starred in a debut win against Spurs but couldn't force a way into Arsenal's midfield. After loan several he is now on a permanent deal at Forest and has played for England Under 21s



20 September 2011

Arsenal 3-1 Shrewsbury

Oguzhan Ozyakup, midfielder



The Turkish youngster made an immediate impact in his first appearance in a red shirt, coming off the bench to assist Yossi Benayoun for Arsenal's third goal against Shrewsbury. Sadly it wasn't the start of something special as just one more League Cup appearance followed. The 21-year-old joined Besiktas for a nominal fee in the summer of 2012 and has since made his senior international debut.

Internationals: Oguzhan Ozyakup (left) is now at Besiktas and has played at senior level for Turkey; winger Ryo Miyaichi (right) has played for Japan but has struggled to assert himself into first-team plans



Ryo Miyaichi, midfielder

A 71st minute substitute in the win over Shrewsbury, Miyaichi is still an Arsenal player despite loan spells at Feyenoord, Bolton and, most recently, Wigan Athletic. The 20-year-old made his senior international debut for Japan last year but has struggled to assert himself in Wenger's first-team plans.

26 September 2012

Arsenal 6-1 Coventry City

Serge Gnabry, midfielder

Now pushing for a place in the first team, Gnabry started what promises to be a long Arsenal career with an 18-minute substitute appearance in the League Cup thrashing of Coventry. The tricky midfielder has since worked his way up the ranks, coming off the bench during the 2-0 win at Crystal Palace last weekend and winning the penalty which was converted by Mikel Arteta for Arsenal's first goal. He signed a new five-year contract to stay at the Emirates on Monday.

Huge potential: Serge Gnabry is a regular on the Arsenal bench and has just signed a new five-year contract



Damian Martinez, goalkeeper

A starter in the third round win over Coventry, Martinez also appeared in the unforgettable 7-5 triumph against Reading in the following round. The 21-year-old Argentine is currently on a one-month emergency loan to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday but will hope to challenge Arsenal's established keepers on his return to the Emirates.



Unforgettable: Damian Martinez played in the brilliant 7-5 thriller against Reading - he's currently at Sheffield Wednesday on emergency loan







