Wenger's global hunt for another 1984
Arsene Wenger has compared his new crop of players with the Class of '84, the outstanding group who went on to provide the backbone of Arsenal's Championship-winning sides of 1989 and '91.
The Arsenal team who lost the FA Youth Cup semi-final to Stoke City on April 3, 1984, read: Hammond, Russo, Thomas, Keown, Adams, Rocastle, Hayes, Rees, Quinn, Campbell, Purdie.
Six of them - Michael Thomas, Tony Adams, David Rocastle, Martin Hayes, Niall Quinn and Kevin Campbell - were in George Graham's squad who pipped Liverpool to the title at Anfield in '89.
The difference between the groups of youngsters is that 19 years ago they were all domestic products, whereas the current crop are multi-national.
Wenger prides himself on his knowledge of the best young players around the world.
Of the 11 youngsters, starters and playing substitutes, who were on show on Tuesday there were two French, and one each from Spain, Iceland, Czech Republic, Greece and the U.S.
There were four English-born players, midfielder David Bentley, 19, goalkeeper Graham Stack, 22, and right back Justin Hoyte, 19, plus substitute midfielder Ryan Smith, 17.
Hampstead-born Stack, however, is pursuing an international career with the Republic of Ireland, while Bentley is the player with, perhaps, the brightest future.
