Unai Emery has praised Bukayo Saka after the 17-year-old’s impressive full debut in Europa League on Thursday night.
The Arsenal manager rang the changes for the 1-0 win over Qarabag, and gave starts to youngsters Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah, as well as Saka.
The winger has been with the Gunners since the age of nine, and became the first player born in the 21st century to earn a start for the Londoners.
Speaking after the game, as quoted in the Mirror, Emery said: “Every young player, we have the responsibility to give them chances, first to train with us and to be demanding with their performances.
“We give them these chances in the games like today, when we can do that. They show us in every match positive things.
“Today Saka also played with a good performance, with a very big personality and we were speaking at half-time.
“His personality is very important for us to continue trying to go 1v1 and break lines with his quality. He played with a very big personality and sometimes with a very good performance.
“It’s very important for his confidence and for us also, because we can look at this player and see quality to help us.”
OPINION
Arsenal have always been a side that pride themselves on giving youth a chance. Throughout the Wenger years a whole host of top talent was given its chance to shine on the big stage. It will be a great comfort to Gunners’ fans that Unai Emery seems intent on carrying on that tradition. Emile Smith Rowe has been the standout example this season, scoring twice in a wholly impressive Europa League run, but last night it was the turn of Bukayo Saka to catch the eye. The academy graduate look sharp for the outset and his immense talent was plain to see. Critical to the development of players like Saka will be Emery’s management of their opportunities, and it would appear that the Spaniard has got his policy on youth involvement down to a tee. Using Smith Rowe as an example, the young man has been able to flourish in relatively low pressure games that are still competitive, away from the harsh scrutiny of the Premier League. Now it feels only natural that a league debut should follow in the near future. This gradated approach to young talent could hold the key to reaping serious dividends in the next couple of seasons.