Bukayo Saka has been handed a surprise start for Arsenal in their crunch Premier League clash with Man Utd.
The Gunners' academy graduate makes just his sixth appearances for the north Londoners as part of a three-pronged attack.
Saka will join Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe in the Arsenal front line with Alexandre Lacazette absent through injury.
And Emery was confident that a starting berth was no less than the young forward deserved.
"We are helping him and helping the young players and lately when their performances are good we give them chances to play and today is another chance for him and the team," Emery said.
Saka becomes the youngest player to have ever started in the 55 Premier League meetings between the two teams, at 18 years and 22 days old.
He only made his first start in the top flight last weekend against Aston Villa but was subbed at half time with the Gunners a goal down.
Emery also opted to select Calum Chambers at right-back for the showdown, leaving Ainsley Maitland-Niles on the bench.
Meanwhile Mesut Ozil did not even make the trip to Old Trafford, sparking question marks over his future at the Emirates.
The German playmaker has played just 71 minutes of league action this season.
But even with Lacazette out of the side, Ozil was not part of Emery's plans for the contest, with the Gunners boss delivering a straightforward response when asked why he was not in the squad.
Emery replied: "He is not right. i decided that this is the XI and that's it."
