Arsenal’s youngsters showed their immense potential again on Tuesday night when they beat Sunderland 5-1 in their EFL Cup quarter-final tie.
Eddie Nketiah, who is out of contract at the end of the season, grabbed himself a hat-trick whilst Nicolas Pepe also got himself on the scoresheet in the first half.
The performance was then rounded off by a debut goal from 18-year-old Englishman Charlie Patino, who is tipped to be the next big thing at the Emirates Stadium.
With other youngsters also impressing in the league, Mikel Arteta’s plan of laying the foundations for future success is beginning to come together quickly, and his squad have drawn praise from Arsenal legend Paul Merson.
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The 53-year-old suggested that there is a cluster of young, exciting talents in the ranks which could replicate the success of Manchester United ’s former unstoppable side in 1992.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Merson said: “There’s some good things happening at Arsenal, with the young players. Just imagine Nketiah gets in the team and he’s got Emile Smith Rowe on one side and Saka on the other or Martinelli. With Smith Rowe dropping back.
“Them four players and young Charlie (Platino). They could be the next five, six, seven years at Arsenal. Who knows, it could be the next Man United."
Despite not starting the last two fixtures, Smith Rowe has been two of the most exciting players to watch this season and has scored seven and assisted two in 16 appearances so far this season.
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Saka too has been impressive, though failing to be as prominent on the scoresheet and been more of a creator with three goals and four assists in the league to date.
However, Merson’s future hopes for the Gunners could take a major blow next month as Nketiah has been linked with a move away from the Emirates due to his refusal to sign a contract extension.
The Englishman is keen to find a club that will be able to provide him with regular game time and feels he won’t be able to get that in North London.
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Speaking about Patino’s debut, Arteta was overjoyed about his instant impact, he said: “It was a dream. As a debut to come here, to score in front of our fans, a really special moment,' Arteta said.
“He is a kid that is coming through our system, a lovely kid. (The fans) know what he can become and now we have to cook him slowly. Today was a good start.”
Arteta was then questioned about the pressure that Patino could have to shoulder due to the high hopes that the club have for him, to which he replied: “That is what we have to avoid. He still has a lot of competition in front of him. He is really young. And he needs to go step by step. Today he was lucky, he got the opportunity and he took it really well.”
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will be able to replicate United’s success of the ’90s, or whether Arteta will need to continue to add to his ranks in order to continue the Gunners’ slow and steady pursuit of silverware.
