West Ham youngsters ready for the challenge

Nouble, 18, led the Hammers line in the 2-1 defeat, having previously made just six brief substitute appearances. He hopes it will lead to more first team opportunities.

He said: "Definitely. I'm happy I've got my first start and hopefully now I can get more time on the pitch in league games, be it 10 minutes or 20 minutes. I just really want to play.

"I was happy I got a chance to play and hopefully I will get stronger and better as the weeks go on. I was a bit nervous in the first five minutes, but after I got my first chance I felt all right. It's just match sharpness which was not quite there for me, but that will come in time.

"It was a tough game, but I was really pleased to have played. I got a bit tired towards the end, but I haven't played for about two months now, so I suppose you could expect that to happen.

"I'm still only 18, and hopefully I can make more of an impact in games in the future."

The former Chelsea trainee is a big physical presence and has been likened to clubmate Carlton Cole in style. He admitted he has learned a lot from the England striker, as well as Chelsea stars Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka.

He said: "It's easy to watch Carlton in training because I'm with him every day. I learned from Drogba and Anelka when I was at Chelsea and from Carlton Cole now I'm here. I'm learning from the best, and hopefully I can take it all on board and in a couple of years time I should have learned a lot."

Nouble hopes to play his part to help the Irons avoid relegation this season.

He said: "I don't want a relegation on my CV. I think we will get out of trouble. Hopefully we can start by beating Wolves next week."

Daprela (pictured left) looked to have what it takes to mix it in the Premier League, as the Swiss full-back deputised for the injured Herita Ilunga.

The 18-year-old, who joined the Irons at the start of the season from Grasshoppers Zurich, produced an assured display. He was happy with his performance but claimed he could play better.

He said: "I think I played okay. I can play better. The other players were helping me a lot and I just tried to play my normal game, so it was okay.

"I like to go forward and I like to pass the ball short. I made two or three runs and that is okay for me for the first time. The first time I tried to pass, but for the second one, I wanted to shoot, but I was not so sure about it."

Daprela only found out he was playing shortly before kick-off.

He said: "I had some sort of feeling that I may play because Herita was injured, but the manager didn't actually tell me until the team meeting.

"It was very nice to play against a team like Arsenal and I think the whole team put in a good performance, and it was a great pity that we lost 2-1. We played so good and then we let in two stupid goals, but that happens. I am just happy to have played in the team."