3 Arsenal academy players to introduce during the Europa League

BARNET, ENGLAND - JULY 24: Matthew Smith of Arsenal XI runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Barnet and Arsenal XI at The Hive on July 24, 2019 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images)
BARNET, ENGLAND - JULY 24: Matthew Smith of Arsenal XI runs with the ball during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Barnet and Arsenal XI at The Hive on July 24, 2019 in Barnet, England. (Photo by Alex Burstow/Getty Images) /
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The players that have come through the ranks at Arsenal speak to the quality of the academy. In the past, the likes of Rocky Rocastle, Ashley Cole, Tony Adams and, more recently, Jack Wilshere, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have all shown their world-class quality.

Football has become much more intense, with academy players getting loan moves abroad instead of being blooded at the club where they’ve been for much of their life. The Europa League allows Arsenal to give debuts to youngsters without overwhelming them. They can also learn directly from the manager, getting insights into how he wants his team to play.

3 Arsenal academy players to introduce during the Europa League

Arsenal have used Europa League football to great effect in the past. With more European games coming up and rotation very much needed, here are three academy players Mikel Arteta should introduce during the club’s Europa League campaign.

3. Kido Taylor-Hart

Much of Arsenal’s success this season has been a result of their brilliant attacking play. Quick, incisive passing and rampant dynamism have had fans out of their seats and cheering loudly. Long gone are the days of the infamous “horseshoe” structure, with the passing incredibly slow.

While the structure has led to this attacking prowess, so have the players in that system. Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have all starred out wide. Unfortunately for the latter, injuries have reduced his time on the pitch this season. The warm-down after the Manchester United game resulted in a flare-up for Smith Rowe, leaving him on the sidelines once again.

This injury leaves just Martinelli to play on that left-hand side, with no new wingers coming in. Kido Taylor-Hart, however, could be played in the Europa League. His quality on the ball is easy to see and with a gap in the squad, he could look to assert himself and put himself more firmly in the manager’s plans.

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