‘It is a law in our game’ – Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal will continue to develop youngsters & admits he is cautious about spending big

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Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has admitted he is wary of spending big this summer in order to end the club’s trophy drought for fear of denying promising young players the chance to progress next term.

The north Londoners beat Manchester United 1-0 at the Emirates on Sunday to blow the title race wide open with three matches to play, although the result appears to have come too late for the Gunners to end a run without silverware which now stretches to six years.

Arsenal’s victory came in spite of Wenger fielding a starting XI which boasted the youngest average age in Premier League history – just over 23 – and the Frenchman has revealed his transfer policy will be dictated by the desire to strike a balance between winning and giving youth a chance.

“We want to add what is needed but I am very cautious with what I say because it can be turned both ways,” he told reporters.

“It is very important for the club that we keep faith in what we do – you can see that the players grow when they get a chance. Like Wojciech Szczesny, compared to two months ago, he has grown.

“It is a law in our game – you can only grow at some stage if you play. People want both.

“They want to win every game and they want to produce fantastic quality young players as well.

“But if Jack Wilshere has grown this season it is because he has played.

“However, on the other hand, if you do not win, the same people say ‘why do you play young players?'”