Emi Martinez says he was pleased with his own performance in the 3-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday night, but took time to hail the likes of Joe Willock, Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
Willock scored the opener while Saka got the second as well as two assists, and the Arsenal keeper is hugely encouraged by the young talent coming through the club right now.
Speaking after the game, he took time to praise their contributions, and suggested that if they’re developed properly, they’ve got what it takes to take the Premier League by storm.
“We know we’re the youngest team in the Premier League,” he said.
“We were very young going forward today. Auba was up front and then we had Emile and Bukayo on the wings.
“They’re so talented those two guys, and with Martinelli as well, Willock, Nelson… if we help them settle in the team, they’ll probably be the best wingers in the league.”
As for his personal display, keeping only the second clean sheet of the season, the 27 year old said his loan spell at Reading was hugely beneficial for him.
“I had a really good second half of the season with Reading and I started pre-season really well,” he said.
“I came to pre-season training early to make sure I was ready for Arsenal. I had a good pre-season, I waited for my chance and when I got it the manager chose me in this difficult game away from home.
“I just wanted to keep the clean sheet to make sure the back four is solid with me. The back four were talking all the time and saying, ‘Clean sheet, clean sheet’, even when we scored the first goal.
“We need to build on that, keep more clean sheets and we know that we can create loads of chances with Pepe, Auba, Bukayo and Martinelli.
“They’re really good going forward so we have to stick together to keep more clean sheets.”
Source: arseblog
