Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has said that the newly-restructured Under-21 set-up in England will be of great benefit to youngsters.

The reserve league has been replaced with an Under-21 league for this season, with the clubs also now being included in the NextGen series.

Wenger is confident that the changes will help England's youth to develop.

"It is a good competition for [young players] because sometimes to see them at the Emirates in a different environment highlights a little bit the importance of the game," Wenger told Arsenal's official website. "Overall there is not a big change but the structure is a little bit different.

"What has changed is that the whole country is better structured, competition-wise. We are in the NextGen competition as well which is a bit like the Champions League of the youth teams. That is interesting as well.

"I believe overall it is more exciting and what we want to create as well is an elite group of young boys who can play in the NextGen and be compared to what Arsenal will face tomorrow. Football of tomorrow will be played by this generation."

Arsenal won their opening youth league game against Bolton Wanderers 3-1.

Written by
Matt Domm