For a man who has developed players such as Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Cesc Fàbregas in 12 distinguished years at Arsenal, it was some claim, but no one at Sheffield United will argue with Arsène Wenger’s verdict that this is the most talented group of youngsters he has had at the club. An experienced Coca-Cola Championship side, whose lawyers are arguing that they should be in the Barclays Premier League, were made to look like novices by a team comprising eight teenagers and an average age of 19, who put on a footballing masterclass that was a joy to behold.

In these difficult times, the £10 that Arsenal shrewdly charged for admission — just £5 for the kids that were not out on the pitch — must represent the best value for entertainment available anywhere in the capital.

Arsenal’s youngsters have breathed fresh life into this much-maligned competition in recent years — reaching the final two seasons ago, only to see their seniors outmuscled by Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium — but the 2008-09 vintage could be the best of the lot. After a nervous start in which possession was sacrificed too readily, the home side recovered their composure to put on an incredible show, with Carlos Vela and Fran Mérida demonstrating the class that has had club insiders purring in expectation for several years, Aaron Ramsey taking to the grander stage of the Emirates Stadium like a duck to water and Jack Wilshere, 16, confirming his vast potential with a first senior goal struck from the edge of the penalty area. No wonder Wenger looked so pleased with himself.

“This is the best group I’ve ever had,” he said. “There’s not one who is not real Premier League quality in any position. I would not be scared to play any individual player from this team in the Premier League. I’m not as surprised as you, as I see them every day, but you never know how they respond. We can go all the way and win it. These players don’t play like kids. They play like people with intelligence and great spirit. This team we played tonight can beat many teams.”

Gary Speed has seen most things in a 20-year career, but even his vast experience could not prepare him for the daunting one of looking on as a player who was four months old when he won the last title before the Premier League with Leeds United struck the fifth goal of a humiliating defeat from 20 yards. Wilshere, given his obvious potential as England’s latest boy wonder, will command more than his fair share of the headlines, but Vela was the star of the show. The 19-year-old Mexican was involved in creating the first two goals for Nicklas Bendtner before completing an exquisite hat-trick that may be enough to earn a place in the squad to play Hull City on Saturday. On this evidence, Phil Brown, the Hull manager, would be glad to face the first team.

“We played the football we want to play and showed a good mix of individual and collective spirit,” Wenger said. “Everyone in their position played very well, from the goalkeeper to Bendtner and Vela. He’s a natural finisher. I think Vela’s a player who has everything in his locker to be a first-class striker.”

Kevin Blackwell, the United manager, added to the paean of praise after a day that began with the promise of a £30 million payout ended on a more downbeat note. “Life has a funny way of bringing you back to earth,” Blackwell said. “We knew they were a good set of lads, but no one knew quite how good they were. That side could play in the Premier League. It was like trying to swat a fly and we couldn’t catch them. I asked Arsène at the end if I could borrow 11 for Saturday.”

Arsenal (4-4-2): L Fabianski - G Hoyte, A Song (sub: H Lansbury, 71min), J Djourou, K Gibbs - J Wilshere, M Randall, A Ramsey, F Mérida (sub: F Coquelin, 71) - N Bendtner (sub: J Simpson, 71), C Vela. Substitutes not used: V Mannone, J Emmanuel-Thomas, E Frimpong, A Ogogo.

Sheffield United (4-4-2): P Kenny - G Halford, C Morgan, M Kilgallon, G Naysmith - D Cotterill (sub: K Naughton, 46), N Montgomery, G Speed (sub: L Hendrie, 72), S Quinn - J Beattie (sub: J Robertson, 77), D Webber. Substitutes not used: I Bennett, B Sharp, D Geary, U Ehiogu. Booked: Halford.

Referee: P Dowd.

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