Arsenal: 4 talking points from West Brom Premier League win
Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe Battling for England Spots
As far as the Premier League is concerned for fans, all three remaining fixtures are essentially dead-rubbers: Chelsea, Crystal Palace and Brighton are to come and seeing academy players get some minutes is what most are keen on.
Saka and Smith Rowe will have other ideas.
Granted, the chances of making the England squad for the summer’s European Championships are far greater for Saka than they are for Smith Rowe, although that doesn’t mean it’s entirely out of the question.
With the squad sizes expanded to 26, players such as Smith Rowe are in with a chance of inclusion and his versatility, just like Saka, will help his case. Yet again it was the academy stars who shone brightest for Arsenal, and even with the competition for places in the Three Lions being tough, excluding Saka will prompt riots in north London.
The past few weeks have been indifferent for both players, with performance levels dropping slightly as an undoubted response to the sheer volume of minutes faced. Both need a rest, but neither will want it in the final three games as they push for a spot on the plane.