Arsenal Special: Return To Manchester Holds No Fears For Mikael Silvestre

The 32-year-old former Rennes, Internazionale and Manchester United defender, will be the senior citizen in the Arsenal side for their League Cup quarter-final at Manchester City, a role he enjoys as he nurses the latest crop of talented youngsters towards their top-level breakthroughs.

"It makes me feel younger," he said, when asked if he enjoyed being 'the daddy of the team'. "The atmosphere in the squad and in the club is very good with all of the young players. It is good, too, that the reserves do exactly the same training as the first-team squad so they can integrate very easily."

After Sunday's Premier League home defeat by Chelsea, Arsene Wenger on Wednesday selected a youthful and inexperienced squad for the trip up to Lancashire, including only Armond Traore and Alex Song from that starting XI, plus Tomas Rosicky, Carlos Vela and Aaron Ramsey, all of whom have made recent first-team appearances.

In effect, it means the team has only a handful of battle-hardened senior players who have the experience of withstanding heavy pressure at this level away from home. City's manager Mark Hughes, desperate for both a victory and a trophy, is expected to pick his strongest possible team.

All of this adds up to a night of strain for Silvestre, which is why his know-how will be so useful for short cuts to escape quickly afterwards after repelling waves of City attacks. "It will be a big step for them, a big test," he said, referring to the examination that lies ahead for boys like Craig Eastmond, Jack Wilshere, Fran Merida, Francis Coquelin and Sanchez Watt.

Familiar foe | Arsenal conceded four to City this season

"There will be a lot of pressure as it is away from home, but we have to relish the challenge. They need to be ready and hungry for this. When I see them, I remember my younger days - but I think I was more hungry than they are!

"These ten years go by so quickly, very quickly. They don't know that yet, but I do.... They have a chance and they have to take it."

Silvestre gained his first full professional contract at Internazionale, in Italy, before his years of success with Manchester United, and he knows well how to withstand heavy pressure and survive.

This contest will give him and his younger team-mates to prove they can do so and succeed - knowing that a good result will not only carry them into the last four of the Carling Cup along with Aston Villa, Manchester United and either Blackburn Rovers or Chelsea, but also boost morale ahead of Saturday's important home league match with Stoke City.

In that respect, his role is more important than ever: if he can help guide this team through the challenge at Manchester City, he will be laying the foundations for a positive response to last Sunday's home humbling. And if one or more of the youngsters in the squad have a chance to shine and take it, that will do more than boost their own career prospects - it will put a smile back on Arsene Wenger's face.

Silvestre, in his own considered and reflective way, has great sympathy for the philosophy of his compatriot in the manager's office - and huge respect for his achievements. He also supports his strategy of encouraging home growth of young talent and the creation of a club with excellent facilities.
 
"What we have at Arsenal, at the training ground and at the stadium, is fantastic and it is good for the young players to have their chance to play - that is the strategy of the manager and the club. And it is a good one."

The experienced French defender will hope the strategy bears more fruit in Manchester and allows him an easier evening than the one he expects. But he is not counting on it.

Tim Collings, Goal.com UK