Arsenal head back to the Emirates Stadium with plenty of positives following their 2-2 draw in the Europa League last-16 first-leg clash against Sporting CP. The Gunners took the lead through William Saliba before Granit Xhaka's deflected cross was turned into the back of the net to equalise in the second half after Sporting took a 2-1 lead.
Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka both started in attack alongside Reiss Nelson, who was the hero in the comeback win against Bournemouth at the weekend, after Gabriel Jesus, Leandro Trossard, Eddie Nketiah and Martin Odeegard were all ruled out of the clash in Portugal. Martinelli and Saka have proven to be crucial players for Mikel Arteta this season, each scoring 11 times to sit joint top of the club's scoring charts.
The Brazilian winger has enjoyed a return to form in recent weeks and was unlucky not to score against Sporting, whilst Saka has shown he is Arsenal's main man for the past few seasons despite still only being 21 years old. Sporting defender Jeremiah St. Juste labelled the attacking duo as "the two best wingers in Europe" ahead of the 2-2 draw on Thursday night.
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The two youngsters have long been touted for big things, but this year they have both truly unlocked their potential. Arsenal have already secured the long-term future of Martinelli at the Emirates Stadium after the Brazilian winger signed a new long-term deal earlier this season.
The Gunners remain confident that Saka will put pen to paper on a bumper new contract ahead of next season despite interest from Liverpool and Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp is among those to greatly admire Martinelli and Saka.
The Liverpool boss has already had plenty of praise for Arteta and his top talents this season, including the two attacking stars. In the past and earlier this season, Klopp has declared: "Martinelli’s pretty much the same age but he’s a talent of the century, he’s an incredible striker, so it’s really difficult.
“A lot of talent…Martinelli, I was excited about him early, Odegaard, I spoke to him at 15 in Norway with his dad. Saka… ooof!
“And Gabriel Jesus, Mikel could see how good he could be not in a Man City shirt. Thomas Partey, everyone saw how good he was at Atletico Madrid.
"Lots of quality. A young, exciting team doing really well."
Martinelli and Saka will hope they can now help Arsenal reach the last eight in the Europa League as they prepare for the second-leg against Sporting next Thursday after taking plenty of positives from the first-leg. Arteta has been able to coach the pair through some difficult times but is now watching them produce an incredibly high level as they fight for the Europa League and Premier League title.
The Spanish coach has paid tribute to their appetite to improve as both Martinelli and Saka enjoy their best seasons to date. He said: “We try to help them with our way of playing to get them in those positions as much as possible.
"They are so willing to learn, they’re asking for more and more every day. They never have enough information, they always want more. When you have that, and you have the talent and the ideas that they have, good things will happen."
Saka is yet to be tied down to a new contract but the club remain confident in agreeing a deal with the Hale End graduate. Discussions have been ongoing for months and Martinelli shares the club's confidence that his team-mate will stay put: “I will be happy because he is a very, very good player, one of the best young players in the world.
"He is at his house, you know, Arsenal is his home and for sure he is happy. And we will be happy as well if he stays and signs a new deal."
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