Arsenal's young guns trained on Spurs

LONDON, Jan 29 (Reuters) Bragging rights in north London and a place in the League Cup final will be at stake when Arsenal's youngsters host Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday.

Premier League champions Chelsea await the winners in Cardiff on February 25, with the bookies backing Arsenal after a 2-2 draw in last week's semi-final first leg at White Hart Lane.

Arsenal will expect to extend a 16-game unbeaten record against Spurs in all competitions since 1999.

Tottenham, with a full-strength side, took a 2-0 lead and looked set for a trip to the Millennium Stadium until Arsenal's second string hit back with a double-strike from Julio Baptista.

The Brazilian, who scored four in Arsenal's quarter-final demolition of Liverpool, is bound to start at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday, probably alongside Jeremie Aliadiere.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger faces a tough decision, though, over whether to field or rest teenage Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas, the architect of last week's fightback.

Fabregas was fizzing about the pitch in Sunday's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Bolton Wanderers and will be needed again for Saturday's Premier League trip to Middlesbrough. Spurs, who were trounced 3-0 by Arsenal's first team in the league on Dec. 2, have few options but to attack as the away goals rule will come into operation if it finishes scoreless after 90 minutes and extra time.

Manager Martin Jol hopes Egypt forward Mido recovers from a back problem after being taken off late in Saturday's 3-1 FA Cup win over Southend -- having scored the killer third goal.

Fellow strikers Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe will also be bidding for a start, though the biggest threat to Arsenal could come from livewire England winger Aaron Lennon, now on fine form after injury.

Reuters PM GC0853