Paul Merson has claimed that with Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Charlie Patino and Gabriel Martinelli then Arsenal can become ‘the Arsenal’ again, as he told Sky Sports.
The former title-winner shared that the above players are the future of Arsenal and could be at the club for the next five to six years and become ‘the next Manchester United’.
Merson is making reference to the ‘class of 92’ under Sir Alex Ferguson that included the likes of David Beckham, Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt, to name a few, that went on to win trophy after trophy.
It’s what Arsenal fans crave right now, especially becoming Premier League champions again because it has been nearly two decades since they have tasted that glory.
Whilst Mikel Arteta gets mixed views on what he is doing at the club, at this moment in time, they are sitting in the Champions League places and things are going well for all involved.
The youngsters have played a big part in that and Merson bigged them all up after their 5-1 win over Sunderland in the League Cup on Tuesday night.
“You hear great things with this kid,” said Merson. “Fair play to Luton. Lots of credit to them. He has been their at a young age and learnt the game and Arsenal have come and taken it over.
“There are some good things happening at Arsenal. Young players. You imagine if Nketiah gets into the team? Then all of a sudden, you have Smith Rowe on one side, Saka on the other or Martinelli. Smith Rowe dropping back.
“I mean them four players and the young lad Charlie, they could be here for the next five, six years at Arsenal.
“Who knows this could be the next Manchester United? All of a sudden, in two or three years, the lads I have just reeled off. They will have 200-300 games under their belt. Then this Arsenal team might become the Arsenal again, which we all hope.”
Whilst the likes of Smith Rowe, Saka and Martinelli have taken the limelight lately, it’s Patino’s time now.
The 18-year-old came off the bench to score on his Arsenal debut after being a much-talked-about figure in the Hale End academy.
For Patino, the proof is in the pudding that he can become a regular member of this Arsenal side because Smith Rowe has developed in huge ways under Arteta.
This time last season, he wasn’t even playing on a regular basis and now he is an England international.
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