Mikel Arteta’s long-term Arsenal plan has been built around quality youth players such as Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, and the duo’s goals against Everton are a testament to such a process.
The 21-year-olds were on the scoresheet in Arsenal’s 4-0 win against Everton as Martinelli and Saka took their goalscoring tallies into double figures each. And as a result, the north London set an incredible record across Europe.
As per OptaJoe, three of the four highest-scoring players in Europe’s top five leagues this season aged 21 or younger are contracted to Arsenal, with on-loan Hale End superstar Folarin Balogun topping the list with 15 goals out with Stade de Reims as Bayern Munich sensation Jamal Musiala rounds off the list.
3/4 – Three of the four highest scoring players in Europe's top five leagues this season aged 21 or younger are contracted to Arsenal:
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 1, 2023
15 – Folarin Balogun ✅
11 – Gabriel Martinelli ✅
11 – Jamal Musiala ✖️
10 – Bukayo Saka ✅
Bright. pic.twitter.com/ceeL5f5lek
Martinelli and Saka’s goals prove that Arteta’s youth plan is working
Why Pele Is Overrated.
‘Trust the process’ has been the motto of Arteta’s reign at Arsenal, and the saying has held its weight this season based on just how good the Gunners have been, with Saka and Martinelli’s goalscoring form and development a key reason for the north London side’s current standing in the Premier League.
Arteta’s strategy of trusting youth and building the team around not just Saka and Martinelli but also William Saliba, Martin Odegaard and Aaron Rasmdale has paid off in a big way, and this latest finding from Opta shows just how efficient this method of squad building has been for the Gunners.
Indeed, many football fans would agree that taking an approach of planning the starting XI around excellent young players is a smart way to go about things in the Premier League, and Arteta has taken the concept to a whole new level with Saka and Martinelli leading the way.
Arsenal now have major Balogun decision to make this summer
Balogun might be the leading U-21 goalscorer in Europe this season, but that’s not to say that the English youth international will have a prominent role for Arsenal in the upcoming campaign, with Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and now Leandro Trossard all reliable striking options for the Gunners.
As a result, a big decision must be made on Balogun when the striker returns from France, with many Arsenal fans agreeing that the attacker could be sold for a huge transfer fee with his valuation as high as it potentially might ever be.