Wenger loves Rafa's idea

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has welcomed Rafa Benitez's idea to have reserve teams playing in the Football League.

Benitez has called for the system, which is already in place in Spain, to be brought into the English game.

Chelsea chief Jose Mourinho has also shown support for the idea, with the chance to field the club's youngsters in the lower leagues.

Wenger has allowed the likes of Nicklas Bendtner, Alex Song and Fabrice Muamba to go out on loan to get regular first-team football.

But the Gunners boss would prefer to keep all his players together and believes the current system is failing.

"I would love it," Wenger told the club's official website.

"What used to happen is that you had a reserve league and an Under 18s league, which was very important.

"What has happened now is the Under 18s league has transferred to the reserve league while the Under 18s has lost a little.

"When you look at it these days, 90 per cent of the reserve games are played with Under 18 players so one may have to be cut off.

"We have many players who play on Saturday (for the Under 18s) and on Monday for the reserves.

"That means they play too many games and cannot practise."