And he hopes his kids will follow the example of England man Theo Walcott, who is beginning to deliver on the undoubted promise he has always possessed.

>> Join the debate in our football forum

Wenger said: "Walcott is having a good education in midfield, although, in the future, I see him as a more central striker.

"He started the season as just a promising young player and finished it as someone ready to fight for a regular place in the side.

"His next step is to produce very consistent performances and I'm hopeful for him because he can be decisive in games, as I hope a number of my players will be.

"Our average age in this game was 22.3 years without the substitutes' bench and with the bench we would have gone down to 20.

"So the game against Sunderland proved we have a very young side which can still play in a very mature way away from home – something which is not easy.

"Now I believe that we can get stronger as a squad if we use our intelligence."