Simpson produced an impressive display on Tuesday night

Arsenal striker Jay Simpson said he was delighted to net twice during his first senior start but keeping them in the Carling Cup was more important to him.

A young Gunners side clinched a 3-0 win against Wigan in the fourth round of the competition on Tuesday.

Simpson, 19, told BBC London 94.9: "It's not bad at all. I'm delighted with that.

"But it was more important to get the result to go through to the next round, which I'm happy about."

The youngster added: "The crowd gave me that extra buzz. It was just exciting to be out there. I was happy to get my chance and I think everyone was happy to be out on the pitch."

London-born Simpson has been at Arsenal since he was nine and already has a place in the club's history books as the first player to score a competitive hat-trick at the Emirates Stadium.

He achieved this during the FA Youth Cup tie against Cardiff City in February 2007.

"That was a lot different than it was on Tuesday night. There's a bit more pressure tonight.

"Wigan are a decent side and we're all young and a lot of us are lacking in experience but it shows that we are a good side. The manager's done a good job with us.

"He said he would stick with us all the way so everyone's really happy about that and it shows he has belief in us and that comes out on the pitch. We're getting our chance in the Carling Cup and we just have to repay the faith the manager shows in us and show him what we can do."

The win means the youngsters are now through to the last eight and Simpson is targeting another win against a top Premier League club.

"I'm hoping for another big side, another Premier League side, that's what it's about," he added. "I'd love to play Liverpool at Anfield.

"The bigger the side the better. It's great experience. It would be a good test for us."

Simpson spent last season on loan at Millwall, during which time he made 41 league appearances, and scored six goals.

His spell at the League One outfit also earned him the division's Player of the Year.

He returned to the Gunners at the end of last season, and began this campaign by grabbing the equalising goal in the pre-season fixture at Barnet.

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