Arsenal's youngsters have been crucial to the Gunners' push for a place in the Champions League this season. The improvement in their statistics epitomises their importance to the squad and the role they will play at the club for the foreseeable future.
Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe, and Gabriel Martinelli have all doubled their goal and assist tally in this campaign compared to last season. The three youngsters have carried Arsenal when the club needed help to get a result this season, and that is also due to Mikel Arteta's bravery in putting the huge responsibility on the youngsters.
Not only have they seen an improvement in their goal contributions. But their development in terms of being able to lead the team and have standout performances is a testament to their mentality and the excellent potential they possess.
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Saka contributed to eight goals in 2020/2021 but has managed to double this tally to 17 so far during the 2021/2022 season. His dominance on the right-hand side has made him one of the most dangerous players in the Premier League.
The Englishman is viewed as one of the club's most valuable assets and football.london understands that the Gunners have made extending the current contract of the youngster a key priority ahead of the summer transfer window. The 20-year-old is currently valued at £84m, according to CIES Football Observatory.
Smith Rowe played his part in six goals across the 2020/2021 season, which was his breakout campaign. He has seen a lot of improvement in his second season as an Arsenal regular contributing to 12 goals, which doubles his tally from the previous season.
Smith Rowe has been pivotal for Arsenal this season. The Hale End star has become the fourth Arsenal player under the age of 21 to score in three straight Premier League games, the previous three being Nicolas Anelka, Jose Antonio Reyes, and Cesc Fabregas.
The youngster initially set himself a target of 10 goal contributions this season. However, he managed to blow that target out of the water, and it is a credit to his mentality to succeed as an Arsenal player.
Martinelli only contributed to three Premier League goals last season, In what was an injury-hit campaign for the Brazilian. However, he has staked a claim in Arteta's side this season due to his impressive performances, which has also seen him triple his goal contribution tally for the previous campaign, with nine contributions so far this season.
Martinelli has been performing excellently on the left-hand side for Arsenal in recent months, and it is for that reason he has been called up to the senior Brazil squad.
The international call-up reflects the quality he has shown in an Arsenal shirt this season. His promising potential has been smashed home by his ability to overcome the top two right-backs in the Premier League in Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joao Cancelo.
The three youngsters have all been sensational in this campaign, as they clearly developed from the previous year. Their impact on the side is a major reason why Arsenal are currently in pole position for a top-four finish.
