Martin Keown has praised Mikel Arteta for selecting Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe for Arsenal in their 3-1 win over Tottenham this weekend.
Writing for BBC Sport, the former Gunners defender lauded the Basque manager after starting the Hale End academy graduates for the huge clash on Sunday night. The result put Arsenal ahead of Tottenham in the Premier League table.
Smith Rowe opened the scoring before Saka made it 3-0 just past the 30-minute mark. The duo were excellent on the day and were key to the Gunners’ thumping win over their north London rivals.
It was a day to remember in particular for Smith Rowe, who both scored and assisted on the day in what was a Man of the Match performance for the youngster. And for Keown, the duo were key to Arsenal’s win over Spurs.
Keown said: “Two of our brightest young talents, Emile Smith Rowe and Saka, not only did that, they completely ran the show.
The former Arsenal defender added: “Arteta deserves some credit for that, because he used them in the right positions, on the left and right-wing. It was just one part of how he really made the best use of his squad for this game.”
It was a bold decision from Arteta to start Smith Rowe over the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Nicolas Pepe. But the Arsenal manager’s decision paid off in stunning fashion, with the Gunners now 10th in the league standings.
With Brighton and Hove Albion up next for Arsenal, Smith Rowe and Saka will likely retain their places in the XI when they travel down to the south coast.
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