Following the 3-1 victory over Chelsea, one thing stood out amongst an unexpectedly brilliant performance from an Arsenal side full of the youngster’s talent, and that is that the players, no matter the lack of experience, possess the hunger and desire to drag the Gunners out of their current perilous predicament.
Instead of Willian and Dani Ceballos, it was the likes of Emile Smith-Rowe, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli, who took to the spotlight to put in a performance worthy of the famous Arsenal shirt.
The fact is, the same cannot be said for those who are meant to be the experienced leaders within the team. Mikel Arteta had a choice to make, and, for perhaps the first time this season, chose to be brave in a situation that some may say needed caution.
With his job potentially on the line in a London derby, Arteta made the ruthless call to go with the young guns to fire Arsenal to success once more. Ultimately, it is a decision which could save his job.
Now, the task will be to secure, at the very least, a place in some form of European football this season. If the Spaniard fails to do that, then the plethora of young talent at Arsenal’s disposal could follow in the footsteps of many before them who opted for better days elsewhere.
Youngster’s Desire the Key to Arsenal Success
Emile Smith-Rowe: The Creative Spark Arsenal Have Been Lacking
For months now, Arsenal’s lack of creativity has been a prominent feature of their downfall. In reaction to this issue, many called for Mesut Ozil to make a return, and rightfully so. The German has been one of the best creators of the past decade, there is no denying that. Clearly, however, his return was always unlikely.
So, Arteta had a choice to make. He could either wait until January and attempt to recruit a playmaker with the class needed for a club of Arsenal’s stature- admittedly a difficult task when looking at the Gunners’ current position. Or, he could discover a solution from within.
By the looks of the Chelsea game, it was option two in which Arteta chose; it was the academy which stepped up once more; it was Smith-Rowe who took to the spotlight.
The young midfielder took to the London derby like an experienced veteran- dictating play alongside Saka and Martinelli. The fact is when the pressure was on, where other, and far more experienced players have cracked, Smith-Rowe became the much-needed diamond in the Arsenal midfield.
The stats only add further accreditation to the 20-year-old’s performance, too. In total, having played 65 minutes, Smith-Rowe registered an assist, made 22 passes with a 78% accuracy, completed two key passes and won three ground duals. It was the complete midfield performance which Arteta has been craving for months.
Arsenal Must Avoid Becoming a Selling Club Once More
The first task at hand from an Arsenal point of view is to secure European football. The second task, however, must be to avoid becoming a selling club once more. For the last two decades, we have seen far too many players up and leave the Emirates for a chance for trophies elsewhere. Arteta must avoid a replication of this.
Whilst Arsenal have so many talented youngsters at their disposal, they must persuade them to trust in the Arteta project. By securing European football, they should ensure this. But, if Arsenal fail in that quest, the only way to remain sustainable could be to follow in the footsteps of selling clubs such as Ajax.
The likes of Ajax and Borussia Dortmund have remained somewhat successful by forming some of the best young talents before inevitably selling them on for profit before the cycle begins again. And, in the short term, Arsenal may have no choice but to replicate this- especially if they fail to secure European football.
Players such as Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are simply too talented to be playing for a mid-table Premier League club. They need to be playing at the highest level, and this is a platform Arsenal must provide if they want to keep ahold of the youngsters who are so key to both the present and future development of the club- as proven by the Chelsea game. The youngster’s fight and desire will be what propels Arsenal out of their current predicament.
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