Arsenal's recent shift in transfer strategy has appeared to begun bearing fruit for the north London club. Long gone are the days of signing older players on big contracts and now are the moves for a sustainable squad that can keep up results in the current campaign with a broader look at the future.
Hale End academy stars are given the chance to shine, with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Eddie Nketiah already established as first-team ready. This faith in youngsters has continued into this season, with Mikel Arteta handing a Premier League debut to 15-year-old Ethan Nwaneri late in the game against Brentford on Sunday.
When asked about that decision, the manager said after the game: "It was a pure gut feeling. I met the boy (and) really liked what I saw. Per Mertesacker and the academy staff are giving me really good information, Edu as well. I met him, he’s trained a couple of times with us.
