Arsenal are currently not playing in Europe but according to the club’s academy director Per Mertesacker, youngsters Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe could be the catalyst to help them get back into the Champions League.
The two youngsters have been like a breath of fresh air for the Gunners and they are fast becoming the go-to players for Mikel Arteta. And according to Mertesacker Bukayo Saka and Smith Rowe can inspire a new generation of talent at the Emirates Stadium.
Mertesacker said, as quoted: “It’s always been a narrative at Arsenal to give young players a chance to play at the top. We’re asking Bukayo and Emile to lead us back to the Champions League. They will proudly take that but we also have to understand the context.
“It’s always been there. If you ask Bukayo and Emile they will tell you how they were inspired by Jack Wilshere, Fabregas, Bellerin. So the next generation of Under 9 players at the academy will be inspired by these players.
“However they will speak about the bumpy road, their learning, that journey that hasn’t always been easy. The reality is that these two are exceptions.
“The academy staff has always given its all in delivering players to the highest level which can make a difference in our first team or in some other first team. That is hugely important to the club and will always be a priority.
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“We are giving young players the chance to learn to be vulnerable, to be exposed to the highest level and to be proper leaders for this club in two or three years’ time, while acknowledging they probably need to suffer before they bring us back to glory.
“That’s my expectations. Hopefully Bukayo and Emile can take on the next level of talent into the first team and challenge them in the right way.”
Bukayo Saka has more or less become a regular for Arsenal as well as the England national side and even Emile Smith Rowe is becoming a regular feature for the Gunners.
And to be honest, it’s not only these two players but even the summer signings are starting to come good for Arsenal. At first, a lot of questions were raised about the acquisitions which were made by Mikel Arteta but almost all of them have proved their worth.
