Gooner Talk

Arsenal’s reward for thrashing Sheffield United at the Emirates Stadium in the Carling Cup is a fourth round trip to Premier League tough-nuts Wigan Athletic.

The last time both teams met in the competition was in 2005 when a memorable injury time goal by Jason Roberts secured their place in the Carling Cup final.

Last season, Arsenal fought a scrappy contest to beat the Latics 2-0 at the Emirates thanks late goals from William Gallas and Tomas Rosicky. At the JJB, Arsene Wenger’s side forged a 0-0 draw mainly due to Wigan’s stern defensive display.

The ties will be played on either the Tuesday or Wednesday the 11th or 12th November

The full draw is as follows:

Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Brighton & Hove Albion or Derby v Leeds United
Chelsea v Burnley
Manchester United v Queens Park Rangers
Stoke City v Rotherham United
Sunderland v Blackburn Rovers
Swansea City v Watford
Tottenham Hotspur v Liverpool

Nacer Barazite hopes his loan spell at Derby will help him to follow Nicklas Bendtner into Arsenal’s first team.

Dutch youngster Barazite has impressed since moving to Pride Park last month, dropping down to the Championship in a bid to gain some valuable experience.

Bendtner enjoyed a similar education at Birmingham during the 2006/07 season before breaking into Arsene Wenger’s plans at the Emirates Stadium.

Barazite – who shares the same initials as the Denmark forward – is keen to emulate Bendtner and was not concerned about joining a club which had been relegated from the Premier League.

“He (Bendtner) was like me, almost at the first team. Arsenal sent him to the Championship with Birmingham and he went back there after doing really well and now he is in the first team,” Barazite, 18, told the Evening Telegraph.

“I was not worried that Derby had a difficult time last season. The Premier League is a very difficult level and Derby is a good club. I talked with Arsene Wenger and he said I was doing really well at the club and the final step was learn some other sides of the game and the best thing to do that was to go to the Championship.”

You can keep up to date with all the latest news and analysis on Arsenal’s reserve & youth sides over at Young Guns. Not forgetting Nicklas Bendtner News – the number one blog on all things Bendtner.

Arsenal Reserves will play Championship side Norwich City at Carrow Road in November after the Canaries withdrew from the Football Combinations League East.

Neil Banfield’s side have agreed to bring along a side on Tuesday, November 18, with the game taking place at 7.30pm.

“Other opponents are being sought for fixtures in the next few months as the Club remains committed to competitive reserve team football after it’s withdrawal from the Football Combination League East.” said a statement on City’s official website.

You can keep up to date with all the latest Reserve & Youth news over at our good friends Young Guns.