Cesc Fabregas has hailed fellow Hale End graduates Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka as the two current Arsenal players he enjoys watching the most, during a Q&A on Twitter.
The Spaniard responded to a Gunners supporter who asked who excites him the most among those at the Emirates Stadium. Fabregas spent eight-years at Arsenal after joining from Barcelona’s academy in 2003, before returning to Catalunya for £35m in 2011.
He broke through from the north Londoners’ academy to debut in the EFL Cup at 16-years, five-months and 24-days in October 2003. Eventually establishing a key first-team presence under Arsene Wenger the following season, and going on to make 303 appearances.
Saka and Smith Rowe have since walked the same path as Fabregas as they strive to forge their Arsenal careers. Unai Emery plucked Saka out of Hale End for his senior debut in the Europa League aged 17-years, two-months and 24-days in November 2018.
Emery handed Smith Rowe his Gunners bow a year later, again in the Europa League, aged 18-years one-month and 23-days. Both, Saka and Smith Rowe, are now key men under Emery’s successor, Mikel Arteta, and impressing former Arsenal captain Fabregas.
Fabregas simply named Saka and Smith Rowe when replying on Twitter to which current Arsenal players excite him the most. With the Hale End graduate choosing two others.
Are Saka and Smith Rowe the most exciting Arsenal players?
Fabregas is only the latest former Premier League star to laud Arsenal duo Saka and Smith Rowe. The pair have earned plaudits from all corners with their efforts at the Emirates, with Gary Neville saying they make him feel joy with how they play in north London.
Another ex-Gunners hero, Gael Clichy also recently claimed Smith Rowe is helping to bring Arsenal’s DNA back. Arteta has fielded the £40k-a-week maestro in 11 of Arsenal’s 12 fixtures in all competitions this season. Only sitting out August’s EFL Cup win at West Brom.
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