Emery backs Bukayo Saka for a long career at Arsenal
Unai Emery has backed Bukayo Saka for a long career at Arsenal after successfully breaking into the first team. Saka created history to become the first player born in 2001 to feature in a Premier League game when he came on for a cameo in Arsenal’s 4-1 thrashing of Fulham on New Year’s Day.
Arsenal haven’t been hesitant to involve their academy products in first-team action, especially in the group stages of the Europa League, with Emile Smith Rowe, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah all getting their chances.
Emery emphasized the importance of rotating the players to cope with the hectic winter schedule and also heaped praises on Saka and the other youngsters.
“I am using different players because of injuries, because of a busy schedule,” he told the Evening Standard. “But it’s a chance to play well against each team we play.
“Saka made his debut and it’s important for us to give young players chances. We lack players for the right and left wing and he is growing with good performances.
“It could be the beginning, I hope, of a long career here in Arsenal. We have other players the same — Emile Smith Rowe, Joe Willock and Eddie Nketiah — and we need to give them chances.”
Saka is likely to feature in the FA Cup third round fixture against Blackpool on Saturday.
