Arsenal's youngsters completed their run to the Carling Cup final, but they needed the help of some of Arsenal's older heads.

The young Gunners dug deep to see off north-London rivals Tottenham 5-3 on aggregate after extra-time at the Emirates Stadium and book a place in next month's final against Chelsea.

Only three of the starting XI were over 25, proving the future is indeed bright for Wenger's squad.

However, this was no easy ride against a determined Spurs side - but one which ultimately did not have enough to make the most of their chances, having blown a 2-0 lead in last week's first leg.

Emmanuel Adebayor's clinical finish after 77 minutes looked to have put the hosts through - only for substitute Mido to breathe life back into the tie with a late header and force extra-time.

However, Jeremie Aliadiere then punished a terrible mistake by Ricardo Rocha at the end of the first period and an own goal by Pascal Chimbonda secured the Gunners safe passage to Cardiff.

With some 5,000 Spurs fans making the short trip across north London to Arsenal's new home, the atmosphere inside the Emirates Stadium was electric.

It was the visitors who had created the first chance in the 10th minute.

A long ball from Michael Dawson caught the Gunners defence cold appealing for offside.

Robbie Keane made the most of their hesitation, scampering clear down the left and into the area.

Goalkeeper Manuel Almunia, however, was out quickly to close the Ireland striker down and make an important block before hacking the ball into touch.

At the other end, Denilson - the Brazil Under-19 captain - played a neat one-two with Kolo Toure on the edge of the penalty area.

His low strike was fumbled by Paul Robinson - and Toure bundled the follow-up just wide of the England keeper's right-hand post.

Seven minutes before half-time, the ball was worked out to the Spurs left and Hossam Ghaly.

The Egyptian whipped over a decent cross - which Steed Malbranque met with a diving header, but his acrobatic effort flew wide of the far post.

In stoppage-time, Adebayor sent a snap shot just over the bar from the edge of the area following more positive build-up by the hosts.

Spurs had to make do with just four substitutes after Aaron Lennon - named in the original XI before being relegated to the bench - fell ill.

At the start of the second half, Theo Walcott cut in on the angle from the right and his 18-yard chip flew just over.

Tempers then threatened to boil over when Ghaly went down under the challenge of Armand Traore in the Arsenal box.

Appeals for a penalty were waved away, with the Spurs man then tussling with first Philippe Senderos - who was sporting a bandage to a head wound - and then squaring up to Abou Diaby.

A brief melee ensued before calm was restored, with both Ghaly and Diaby cautioned.

As the hour mark passed, Spurs were enjoying their best spell - but still looked vulnerable on the counter-attack.

The goal eventually came on 78 minutes.

Denilson fed substitute Tomas Rosicky - and he unleashed a stinging drive from just outside the box, which Robinson parried away.

Spurs, however, failed to clear the danger. The loose ball was moved back into the Czech Republic midfielder, who slipped Adebayor away on the overlap down the left.

The Togo striker drew the keeper before stroking his shot into the far corner.

Adebayor immediately dashed towards the Arsenal technical area for his now customary jig with rested captain Thierry Henry, the Gunners seemingly en route to the final against Chelsea.

Those celebrations, though, proved somewhat premature.

With just five minutes remaining, a free-kick from the left by Jermaine Jenas found its way through to substitute Mido, who got up above Toure to head in from six yards - much to the delight of the travelling contingent behind the goal.

The Egyptian then almost won it in stoppage-time when he beat two men to curl the ball just wide of Almunia's right-hand post.

There was still more action to come before the tie went into extra-time as Robinson saved well from Denilson and then Toure.

The first period produced little goalmouth action until the final minute, when Rocha made a complete hash of his attempted clearance with a diving header in the six-yard box.

The ball broke to Aliadiere - who made no mistake to turn the tie in Arsenal's favour once more.

Their trip to Cardiff was sealed four minutes from time when Rosicky's close-range shot came off the inside of the post - and full-back Pascal Chimbonda could only help it over the line.

Teams

Arsenal (0) 3 Tottenham (0) 1 (aet, 90 mins 1-1)

Arsenal Almunia, Hoyte, Toure, Senderos, Traore (Clichy 63),Walcott (Rosicky 63), Denilson, Silva, Diaby (Fabregas 79),Aliadiere, Adebayor.

Subs Not Used: Poom, Flamini.

Booked: Denilson, Diaby.

Goals: Adebayor 77, Aliadiere 105, Chimbonda 113 og.

Tottenham Robinson, Chimbonda, Gardner (Rocha 73), Dawson,Assou-Ekotto, Ghaly (Huddlestone 80), Jenas, Zokora,Malbranque (Mido 80), Defoe, Keane.

Subs Not Used: Cerny, Lennon.

Booked: Jenas, Gardner, Ghaly, Zokora, Defoe.

Goals: Mido 85.

Agg (5-3) After Extra Time

Att: 55,872

Ref: A Wiley (Staffordshire).