McCarthy can only marvel at young Gunners
Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy believes his side were knocked out of the Carling Cup by an Arsenal second-string side containing the “best young talent around”.
Gunners boss Arsene Wenger chose to field his talented youngsters at the Stadium of Light, although they were skippered by England centre-back Sol Campbell, and the visitors ran out 3-0 winners.
Emmanuel Eboue’s spectacular opener and a brace from Robin van Persie accounted for the goals, but Wenger’s youngsters shone throughout the team.
McCarthy’s side were playing just two days after the derby defeat to Newcastle and the Black Cats were beaten after facing a talented and hungry group of players.
“An interesting point Arsene Wenger made was he thought we may have beaten their full-strength team because they probably would have come here with a different attitude towards the Carling Cup than that set of players,” McCarthy said.
“They have something to prove. They want to prove they can get in the first team. I would argue that most of their players would get in other first teams.
“It would have been lovely to put a show on but I don’t think it would have happened against them.
"That is not an ordinary set of reserves. They’ve got the best young talent around that I’ve seen.”
