Platini: Wenger is damaging football

Real Madrid striker Pablo Sarabia is the latest player to appear on Arsene Wenger's radar but UEFA president Michel Platini has criticised the Arsenal boss and other clubs who are recruiting players at such a young age.

The 15-year-old, who currently plays for Madrid's youth squad, is believed to be weighing up an offer to move to England.

Because he is under 16, he is too young to have a professional contract and the Spanish giants are powerless to stop him moving. But Platini wants to see the process stopped after Arsenal recruited Cesc Fabregas and Fran Merida from Barcelona in the same way.

He said: "I do not like the system of Arsene Wenger. In France, Italy and Spain it is easy to buy with money the best players at 14, 15 or 16. I don't like that."

Wenger will field Merida along with other youngsters such as Polish goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski, Italian Vito Mannone, Armand Traore (France) and Denilson (Brazil) in tonight's Carling Cup tie at Sheffield United.

Englishmen Theo Walcott and brothers Justin and Gavin Hoyte are also included in the squad. Wenger will also give a debut to 18-year-old Kieran Gibbs at left-back but Platini would like to see more players born in this country in the Arsenal team.

"If the best clubs buy the best 15 or 16 players that is finished for all the clubs in Europe," said the UEFA chief. "If my son is playing at Millwall and at 16 Manchester come in for this player then when will Millwall have a good team?"

Gilberto will captain the team tonight and does still have a future at Emirates Stadium, according to Wenger.

There were reports yesterday that the 31-year-old had been axed from the squad for refusing to play as a makeshift centre-half.

But Standard Sport understands Gilberto will lead a much-changed Arsenal team at Bramall Lane and is poised to start in his favourite central midfield position.

Wenger had originally planned to rest Gilberto, as he prefers to try out fringe players and youngsters in the early rounds of this competition.

But the Gunners manager changed his mind because he believes the Brazilian will benefit from the extra match time. He is also angry at suggestions that Gilberto had refused to play.

"I deny that categorically and I find this assessment disrespectful to a great professional like Gilberto," said the Arsenal manager. "He is 100 per cent professional and in the squad for tonight. He will play.

"I believe that as a manager and as a player you always have one thing in your mind and that is what is good for the club and the team. I cannot fault Gilberto on that since he arrived here."

Gilberto, who has lost his place to Mathieu Flamini this season, has played only 77 minutes of football for the club since 15 September.
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