One of Arsenal’s next generation was caught up in a row over insulting a West Bromwich Albion player in Arsenal’s Carling Cup win last night. Jack Wilshere, is said to have insulted Jerome Thomas to the extent that the West Brom winger reacted angrily before being promptly sent off.

It was a strange dismissal and a shame because for the majority of the night, West Brom had carried themselves well but tempers were raised when Wilshere was seen to be shouting at Thomas just before the player grabbed him around the throat.

West Brom manager, Roberto Di Matteo, said: “It was a red card. My player went to shake the Arsenal player’s hand, he refused and then reacted. There was an exchange of words, then there was a reaction. I know what was said, but I’m not saying that. I’m disappointed that Wilshere didn’t accept his hand. He wanted to help him get up, actually.”

Arsenal boss, Arsene Wenger, added: “My eyes are not great and my ears are even worse. I couldn’t hear anything from the touchline, but I don’t know. He looked like he responded, reacted, and in these cases you always need to control your nerves. I don’t know if he has any excuses or not, but Jack was upset as well. He said he was kicked.”

“Jerome was a bit impulsive, very talented, sometimes nervy and impatient as well. He lacked confidence when he was younger, but he seems to have found that now.”

Besides from this single incident which obviously ruffled a few feathers on both sides of the fence, it was the football that did the talking. Carlos Vela and Mark Randall scored the goals that have put Arsenal into the next round and the side have proved that their youth team is still a lot better than the first team of a highly rated Championship team.

Di Matteo has said that the club may appeal against Thomas’ red card and submit the words that were said as evidence of provocation on the part of the Arsenal player. However, unless the referee says so in his report, the matter is unlikely to be a great one for debate at the Football Association.

The point is that young players are passionate and they get very excited at times during a game. Although Thomas is now a lot more experienced he should have known better and given back the verbal volley instead of reacting to it physically.