Former Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas was full of praise for Gunners duo Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard during their display against Watford on Sunday, claiming they were the “present and future” of the club.
Saka and Odegaard both combined and scored in the first-half at Vicarage Road, playing their part in a destructive frontline that blew back the Hornets in a 3-2 win.
The first goal came inside the opening ten minutes, through the two youngsters. Odegaard played a backheel flick on the right, playing in Saka behind the full-back.
The England international then cut the ball back to his Norwegian teammate, who calmly slotted the ball past Ben Foster with a left-footed finish.
Cucho Hernandez then brought the home side level with an overhead kick shortly after, leaving Aaron Ramsdale powerless to stop the effort.
But it was Saka who would yet again drive his side forward to restore the lead.
The 20-year-old did well to win the ball from Tom Cleverly just outside the Watford box, passing the ball straight to Alexandre Lacazette.
The Frenchman managed to pin back both centre-backs with his back to goal, playing the ball back to Saka, who struck the ball well into the top right-hand corner.
After their display in the first-half, Fabregas was full of praise for both Odegaard and Saka on Twitter.
He said: “Saka and Ødegaard are the present and future of Arsenal. Two big, big talents.”
It sums up the way most fans are feeling about them, with the youngsters stepping up when needed for the side, especially in the goals department since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang left the club.
There was still more to come in the second half though, as a quick counterattack brought about a third goal for the Gunners in the game and it was needed.
Following a quick throw-in, the ball fell to Gabriel Martinelli just inside the box. The Brazilian youngster struck with some ferocity, beating Foster again to extend the lead.
It was something that Fabregas alluded to shortly after on Twitter, replying to his original tweet on Odegaard and Saka with: “How could I forget him….”
All three goals were crucial, as former Tottenham midfielder Moussa Sissoko scored and pulled one back for Roy Hodgson’s men.
However, despite the nervous ending, it was seen out by Mikel Arteta’s men, who took another three points in the race for the top four.
