Much has been made of Arsenal’s dependence on their budding youngsters this season, with their frankly abhorrent campaign lit up a bit thanks to the rise of Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe in particular.
While the pair have had their side sometimes this season, you only need to look at the Gunners’ league position to figure out that they have not taken them that far.
SAY IT’S CLASS! ?
A fantastic start to the match for Arsenal who have scored three early goals! ??? #UEL pic.twitter.com/I8tStBBmUm
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) April 15, 2021
And it’s not a critique of them – far from it – but more of an excavation of the club’s older statesmen who have not gained weight. In fact, if it were not for the said duo, who knows where Arsenal would be right now.
The Gunners were left sweating over Saka fitness before their clash in the Europa League in the quarter-finals with Slavia Prague on Thursday night, even though the England international passed a late fitness test to be involved in the action.
The trip to Prague probably represented one of the biggest matches in Arsenal’s recent history, with a Europa League triumph representing their only realistic chance to secure European football next season.
With captain and talisman Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang excluded from the match after contracting malaria, the emphasis was really on the two players with a total age of just 39 to carry one of England’s biggest clubs through the tricky away assignment.
And wow they produced.
Saka excellent in Prague | Martin Sidorjak / Getty Images
Both Smith Rowe and Saka were absolutely fantastic and between them they were the catalyst for everything good about Arsenal in the future.
The young duo combined to almost give Arsenal the lead early, with Saka crashing a stunning effort against the woodwork before Smith Rowe first reacted to knock home, only for VAR to limit their joy when an offside decision was returned.
In order not to be deterred, they continued to flood forward with purpose and in particular Saka was a constant lifeline, looking threatening and adventurous every time he got on the ball.
Three goals in the first six halves blew away their Czech opponents and a draw was as good as over before the half-hour limit. From there, it’s all about game management for visitors – something you do not necessarily associate with young people who excel in the professional game – once again, Smith Rowe and Saka did it brilliantly.
Smith Rowe did attempt a finish, but from an awkward position, sending the ball into the away fans Martin Sidorjak / Getty Images
The latter never seemed to neglect his defensive duties as he continued to track and work for the team’s best, while Smith Rowe was superb in the middle of the pitch as he held the ball and let his team move forward and relieve the pressure the home side built. up.
Saka and Smith Rowe have both had fantastic campaigns this season and they will undoubtedly be a big part of Mikel Arteta’s plans in the future, but this screen just felt different.
It was almost like a moment of waterfall, as if to say ‘you thought we were good, but that’s how good we actually are’.
There has not been much to smile about at the Emirates Stadium this season, but Arsenal’s youngsters offer plenty of reason for optimism, and Champions League football is far from ruled out with the Gunners in the last four of the Europa League.
