Aaron Ramsey hopes to prove himself in the role of Steven Gerrard and help drive Arsenal on to Carling Cup glory.

Ramsey does not turn 18 until Boxing Day, but has already enjoyed an impressive start to his Gunners career and is set to be at the heart of the side again in tomorrow night's quarter-final trip to Coca-Cola Championship outfit Burnley.

Having opted for the Emirates Stadium ahead of Old Trafford in a US$7.5 million summer move from Cardiff, Ramsey feels he can go from strength to strength as he targets a regular place in Arsene Wenger's first team.

"I am really enjoying it. It has been a big learning curve since I joined, but I already feel as if I have learned a lot here," Ramsey said.

"Playing alongside world-class players in training every day is a big help.

"I like to attack, I like to get forward and join the strikers when I can - I have always liked the way Steven Gerrard plays and I have tried to model myself on him and his game.

"I just want to kick on now, try and force my way into the starting XI and play week-in week-out."

Ramsey has been one of the shining lights in a youthful Arsenal team that has so far swept all before them in the Carling Cup this season.

Comfortable wins against Sheffield United and then Wigan have earned the Gunners' rising stars high praise and Burnley boss Owen Coyle admits he is fearful for his own side ahead of their Turf Moor showdown.

"I watched their games against Sheffield United and Wigan," Coyle said.

"At one point I thought about turning it off because I couldn't bear it any more. They are the yardstick for everyone who is aspiring to play a passing game."

He added: "Four or five of that team will reach the very highest level. I am not talking about good international players, I mean beyond that.

"Ramsey is unbelievable. At 16, the world is Jack Wilshere's oyster. The maturity they show is way beyond their years."

In tomorrow night's other quarter-final, Stoke manager Tony Pulis is expected to abandon his squad rotation policy when they host Coca-Cola Championship club Derby.

Pulis made wholesale changes for the two previous rounds against Reading and Rotherham, retaining only two of his first-choice Premier League side for the clash with the Millers.

But the reality of being just three games from Wembley - the last time Stoke were there was when they beat Chelsea in the League Cup final of 1972 - is persuading Pulis to use his top stars against Derby at the Britannia Stadium tomorrow.

Pulis said: "We are desperate to win this one, and get to the semi-finals.

"It would be a fantastic achievement. We will be going for the win and my side will reflect that."

Derby manager Paul Jewell will be looking to guide his team into the last four of the competition for the first time in 40 years.

But after three successive away league defeats without scoring a goal, the odds are against Jewell's side from progressing any further.

In particular against a Stoke team who have already beaten Aston Villa, Arsenal and Tottenham on home soil this season on their return to the top flight.

For that, Jewell credits Pulis, a man he encountered in more ways than one when they were on the same Pro-Licence course.

"I know Tony well," said Jewell.

"He never stops talking, has the loudest voice in the world and is the most argumentative person I've ever come across, and I thought I was argumentative until I met him.

"But he is a character, full of enthusiasm and he's done a terrific job at Stoke after serving his apprenticeship at places like Gillingham and Bournemouth."