Arsene Wenger is optimistic ahead of the new season. Picture: Joe Giddens/EMPICS Sport

Arsene Wenger believes his young Gunners are not ready for Premier League football

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has slammed his young defenders after the Gunners were held to a 2-2 draw against Hong Kong side KitChee.

The home side took advantage of a weak back four, consisting of Craig Eastmond, Kyle Bartley, Ignasi Miquel and Nico Yennaris, to lead 2-1 at the break, although January signing Thomas Eisfeld equalised – his second goal on the Gunners’ Asia tour.

“I think defensively we looked fragile, especially in the first half,” Wenger said.

“In the second half not so much because we were not challenged. Defensively we have a lot of work to do as a unit to do much better.

“We let everybody play and some players are not yet at the level of the Premier League. It is a learning process. If you don’t do it in pre-season then you never do it - you give them a chance to see what is requested at the top level.

“I played all of the defenders during this tour to see who is ready and who is not. We have Bacary Sagna, Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker at home - three experienced defenders.”