Arsenal 2 - 0 West Bromwich Albion

Vela shines as Gunners progress

Updated: September 23, 2009, 8:59 AM UK

Mexican teenager Carlos Vela came off the bench to inspire Arsene Wenger's young Gunners to a 2-0 Carling Cup victory over 10-man West Brom at the Emirates Stadium.

The 19-year-old marked his return from an ankle injury when his shot set up Sanchez Watt for the opener in the 68th minute and then added a tap-in after Mark Randall's clever chip came back off the crossbar.

• Di Matteo "disappointed" with Wilshere

After a positive start the Championship leaders were up against it after former Gunner Jerome Thomas - who twice won the FA Youth Cup while at Arsenal - was sent off after 37 minutes for a needless slap on Jack Wilshere.

Wenger had once again given youth a chance, his team with an average age of just over 20, while also bringing in experienced defender Philippe Senderos - starting for the first time since May 2008 after a loan spell at AC Milan - and veteran Mikael Silvestre captained the side. And Senderos - who could have joined Everton during the transfer window - had an early chance when he headed over at the near post following a corner from the left.

With Watt and French teenager Gilles Sunu Arsenal certainly had plenty of pace in attack, while Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey - both with plenty of first-team experience already - provided the trademark quick passing through the midfield.

Polish goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny, 19, made the first meaningful contribution on his debut when punching a corner clear at the near post and he was stretching in the 15th minute as Robert Koren's angled 20-yard drive flew just wide. Watt came within inches of opening his Arsenal account minutes later when he stabbed Wilshere's cutback goalwards, only for the ball to bounce agonisingly off the inside of the post and into Dean Kiely's grateful arms.

The match had suddenly sparked into life, West Brom midfielder Simon Cox the next to test Szczesny with a low drive. The Pole produced another fine stop to turn Koren's shot behind, which was creeping in. The youngsters were rattled - and Kerrea Gilbert hacked the ball off the line after a corner caused panic in the Arsenal six-yard box.

Arsenal responded well, with Wilshere again driving at the Baggies rearguard. On 31 minutes, Wilshere again made space for himself with another positive run, and his 20-yard shot was just off-target.

West Brom swung a free-kick into the area which Szczesny dropped under pressure at the far post from Leon Barnett, but fortunately Kieran Gibbs - who had played in the Champions League semi-final defeat to Manchester United last season - was on hand to clear.

West Brom continued to look dangerous on the break, with Thomas' run down the left forcing Szczesny to make an important block. However, the 26-year-old was shown a straight red card in the 37th minute after he clashed with Wilshere, before then slapping the midfielder in the face while he was on the floor.

Cox also went into referee Lee Mason's book for his protests. The midfielder headed over for the first real chance of the second half when well placed in the six-yard box before Wenger made a change in the 58th minute - introducing Mexican striker Vela and Randall to replace Sunu and Francis Coquelin.

The game continued to be scrappy, as the visitors closed down the space quickly. It took a moment of Premier League quality from Vela to finally help break the deadlock. The 19-year-old showed great close control to create space for a shot from the edge of the penalty area, which Kiely palmed wide, and Watt followed up to smash in his first senior Arsenal goal.

The Mexican then got the goal he deserved after 75 minutes. Randall's 20-yard chip came back off the underside of the bar - and Vela was alert enough to get in between Barnett and Kiely before knocking the ball over the line.

The Baggies missed the chance to pull a goal back with 10 minutes to go when substitute Chris Wood fired wide at the far post - which just about summed up their night.

Di Matteo "disappointed" with Wilshere

After the match Baggies manager Roberto Di Matteo hit out at Arsenal teenager Jack Wilshere for his part in Jerome Thomas' sending-off.

"Thomas went to shake hands with Wilshere, he refused and Thomas reacted, so it was a red card," Di Matteo said. "But there was an exchange of words and there was a reaction. I am disappointed Wilshere did not accept his hand, of a fellow colleague, but that is part of the game."

Di Matteo maintained that until then his side had been in control.

"That was the turning point," he said. "I felt before Thomas got sent off, we were starting to get on top of them. We were just getting control of the game, and I thought we had a good chance to win tonight. But well done to Arsenal. They are very talented and congratulations to them."

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger maintained he could not shed much light on the incident.

"My eyes are not great and my ears are even worse," quipped the Arsenal manager. "I could not hear anything from the touchline. Thomas has reacted, and in these cases you always need to control your nerves, whether he has any excuses, I do not know. Jack said he had been kicked.

"Certainly it would have been a great game if had stayed 11 against 11."

Wenger worked with Thomas, 26, while he was a youngster at Arsenal, but eventually the attack-minded midfielder decided to press for first-team football elsewhere.

"Thomas was very talented, sometimes nervy and impatient as well because he had a lot of talent," said Wenger. "I am happy he is coming to the top level now, because he always had something special and on his day was exceptional player. He lacked a bit of confidence, but looks to have found that now."

Mexico international Vela had missed the start of the season because of an ankle problem. However, the 20-year-old proved the difference between the sides.

"When Vela came on, straight away he made a difference," said Wenger. "He is dangerous in his control, movement and class. He gives you something special. However, he was not ready to start tonight and still has work to do on his fitness. But he is in my plans for the first team - he can play wide left, wide right or central. He gives you plenty of options."