Former Gunner, Nigel Winterburn has urged Arsenal to build their team around Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka as they both form a solid partnership with greater understanding at the club.
Both youngsters have come through the academy to become the driving force of the current rebuild at the Emirates.
Saka has even broken into the England senior national team squad and they have both been tipped to lead Arsenal back inside the top four.
Winterburn says both players have become too important that the club cannot stand losing them to long-term injuries or even selling them.
He disclosed how he was surprised to see Smith Rowe get benched by the Gunners for a few games recently because he knows how influential the Englishman is.
The 57-year-old then urged the club to sign players who can complement both stars and build their team from there.
He said as quoted by Sun Sports: “Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe are two players Arsenal won’t want to lose or have injured for extended periods.
“Smith Rowe was left out of a game a few weeks ago which surprised me because his influence on the pitch is significant.
“Arsenal want to build around all those young players. They’ve got partnerships forming and the more they play together, the more they get a sense of winning games and the stronger that team bond becomes.
“I don’t see why Arsenal wouldn’t build the team around them and complement them by bringing in players that are strong for the future.”
Saka is 20 and Smith Rowe is 21. If they remain at the club, they could lead them to win another Premier League title within the next decade.
Build around them, no doubt that is the must, but MA should make sure they are not burnt out. Game management is important. Play them for the PL games, rest them for the Cup games and since we have no Europe this season, they will be fresh for every PL game. At the slightest sign of wear, MA should sub them without taking unnecessary risks. Same goes for Partey since he almost single handedly takes care of our central midfield, he shouldnt be overplayed.
Or build the team around Japan’s Tomiyasu.
Or the Isle of Man’s Kieran Tierney
Or around the two Brazilian Gabriel’s.
Or around Odumase Krobo man Thomas Partey.
Or around Verviers player A.S. Lokonga.
Or around Drammenian Martin Odegaard
English players are often overhyped….These two looks good though IF they keep up the good work
who cares where a player hails from, unless you have some sort of non-footballing agenda that has nothing whatsoever to do with the greater good of the team…fact remains, it’s ludicrous to think that Arteta would actually agree with this suggestion as he clearly places Ode far above ESR or he wouldn’t be shoehorning him out wide on the regular
I think a big advantage of recruiting young players of similar ages is that they are usually at similar stages of their development and careers. Yes to meet EPL squad requirements we need a British quota and yes some will show more leadership skills or will ultimately be better players, but we don’t need to “build our team” around anyone, as most of them have joined the squad at the same time, and most have very bright futures and similar potential. I honestly don’t know who will have the greatest impact out of Ramsdale, White, Tavares, Tomi, Gabriel, ESR, Saka, Martinelli, Lokonga, Odegaard, Tierney, Saliba, Balogun, Azeez, Patino, Hutchinson etc. Each could become the best in the world in their position, or equally could fall off a cliff.
For me what is more relevant atm is the lack of squad depth and having players to give similar options to them if they are unavailable.
Exciting times, but lets not get obsessed with thinking only ESR, Saka and other Hale End graduates can provide that bright future.