Arsenal goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga has lauded the impact of Gunners youngsters Mari Salmon and Max Dowman after they helped down Mansfield Town.
The Gunners advanced to the next round of the FA Cup to keep their quadruple hopes alive and well.
The starting XI was full of changes, including 16-year-old duo Max Dowman and Mari Salmon. And speaking on the duo, Kepa has lauded their attitude and ability.
Rate Marli Salmon and Max Dowman’s performances vs Mansfield Town!
Kepa Arrizabalaga lauds Max Dowman and Mari Salmon as Arsenal beat Mansfield
Arsenal did something no other top flight team has done by fielding two players so young and in the end, it paid off.
Dowman was particularly impressive and speaking to Arsenal’s media, Kepa lauded the young players on display.
“Wow – at 16, they play at the highest level. And how they play – they play so well,” Kepa said.
“They’re special kids who are used to training with us, they’re used to being around us.
“They had the opportunity, I think they took it, and I’m so happy for them.”
What Kepa said about Arsenal’s overall performance at Mansfield
For Mikel Arteta, the clash at Mansfield was a true test of his team’s ability to adapt and perform.
With the pressure on not only as favourites but also to ensure they didn’t lose to lower league opposition, Arteta knew his Arsenal side had to deliver. They did, in the end, and Kepa believes there are lessons to be learned.
“We lost some important balls, but I thought we also had some opportunities to kill the game, which we didn’t do, and we gave them the confidence to be in the game until the end,” Kepa added.
“It’s something we have to improve, we have to be more clinical in both boxes. That’s something we have to focus on for the next games, because they’re very important.”
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