Arsenal: Important to let youth shine in Europe

Arsenal begin their Europa League campaign on Thursday night. For Unai Emery, this is a competition that he can let the youth in his squad shine.

With Arsenal’s Europa League campaign kicking off on Thursday evening with FC Vorskla coming to the Emirates, it’s a popular opinion that the competition is one the club can realistically win this year.

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It was demoralising to lose in the semi-final last year, but, given Unai Emery’s love affair with the trophy during his time with Sevilla, we can hope that this team can go that one step further, especially since the prize at the end is a route back into the Champions League.

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That being said, it’s important that Arsenal continue with the Arsene Wenger tradition of brooding young prospects in competitions like this. Its well-known that there is an abundance of quality young players waiting in the wings and on the cusp of the first team They will be itching for a start in the competition.

Over the last couple of seasons, the club has lost some real talent: Chris Willock to Benfica, Marcus McGuane to Barcelona and, this summer, Stephy Mavididi to Juventus and Reiss Nelson (on loan) to Hoffenheim. These players have all made marks on their new teams. Those that have been left behind will be casting envious glances that they are getting recognition and first-team football.

Players like Eddie Nketiah, Emile Smith Rowe, Charlie Gilmour, Joe Willock and Konstantinos Mavropranos should all see their names in or around the first team for the group-stage games in the Europa League at the very least. It’s all well and good letting these players loose on lower league teams like Brentford or whoever in the EFL cup, but playing in a European competition will provide more of a competitive experience.

Emery allegedly has the right idea with young players. It was one of the reasons Ivan Gazidis was so happy to champion his managerial qualities when he was hired. Emery reportedly sees big futures for players like Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles at the club and is even allowing the young players to train with the first team.

But with the right guidance who’s to say three or four of the youth team can’t come into the starting XI and be successful. It happened back in the 90s with Manchester United. Football has changed a lot since then and is now dominated by money, but, in my opinion, it is much more romantic when a team wins with players that are brought up right through the foundations.

For a fan, the Europa League is often seen as a poor alternative to being in the Champions League, with long trips to Azerbaijan or the far corners of Europe. But for a young player, it represents a chance to make a name for themselves and play alongside proven first team players. That is the approach Emery must take this season. It’s time to let youth shine.