Is Wenger's policy the way forward?

(CNN) -- In the week that UEFA President Michel Platini criticized Arsene Wenger for having a "business" mentality rather than a "footballing" one, the Arsenal manager sent out a team with an average age of just 19 to win 6-0 in the Carling Cup.

Whether or not the two Frenchmen have a personal grudge against each other that transcends anything that happens on the football pitch, only they can answer.

Either way, it is hard to find any justification for Platini's criticism of his compatriot.

In fact, Wenger's continued policy of giving young players a chance, rather than splashing out millions in the transfer market, seems to be a complete contradiction of what he is being accused of.

Going into this weekend's Premier League matches, Arsenal once again look down on their rivals as they lead the table -- just as they did for most of last season before a crippling injury list proved the catalyst for their eventual late slump to third position.

This demise prompted Gunners fans to shout from the rooftops for Wenger to get his chequebook out and sign some experienced players to blend in with his outstanding young talent.

But Wenger held firm and kept his/Arsenal's cash firmly in his/Arsenal's pocket.

Maybe we will never know why Wenger is so reluctant to part with the club's brass. Is it because Arsenal have no significant transfer funds until the sale of the luxury flats built on their old Highbury ground is complete? Or does he simply believe the way forward in these times of economic uncertainty is to promote players from within his ranks?

Either way, it is certainly a brave policy, and not one met with universal approval. Not since a rather fortunate FA Cup final win over Manchester United in 2005 have Arsenal collected any silverware and perhaps more demanding club directors would have something to say about the lack of trophies.

Yet Wenger's position is rock solid and, in general, he still commands the wholehearted support of the Arsenal faithful.

The reason for this is clear.

Arsenal cannot compete with the Chelsea's, Manchester United's, Liverpool's, Manchester City's and Tottenham's in a financial sense, but they more than hold their own in a football sense -- solely because of Wenger, not in spite of Wenger.

The "non-buying" policy the Frenchman has in place will benefit the club for years to come and encourages younger players who would normally find their first-team path blocked by a big-name signing.

Perhaps that is what gives Wenger's kids the confidence to thrash a top Championship side like Sheffield United 6-0. Perhaps that gives players like 16-year-old Jack Wilshere the freedom to express himself on a big stage. Perhaps that is why the last 16-year-old to score for Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas, is now one of the world's great midfielders.

Perhaps that "business" mentality that Platini refers to is actually just the mindset of a coaching genius who also happens to have a degree in economics.

Only time will tell if Wenger's way proves dividends in terms of trophies won, but there is no doubt that in these times of global uncertainty many chairman will be wondering if the "Wenger Way" is the right way for their club to progress.