Tribal Football
·12 May 2021
Tribal Football
·12 May 2021
Mikel Arteta says Arsenal's emerging young players are a cause for optimism.
Academy graduates Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have emerged as important first-team players in a season where Arsenal have failed to meet expectations.
Asked if he can build his team around such players, Arteta said ahead of facing Chelsea on Wednesday: "Absolutely. There's great potential with them, they've shown that this season.
"They are ready to take responsibility in important moments. They have the level to do it, they have the hunger to do it and they have the right senior players around them to help them as well. It's about how we click and how we are consistent.
"Because we've shown that on the day we can compete and beat the top teams but through 38 games, we haven't done it. Through the Europa League, we have done it to the point that we are so close to getting to that final, but in 38 games that's the duty that we have and the challenge ahead of us: to compete with the big teams in this league."