Alan Shearer lauds Arsenal pair after Tottenham win
Alan Shearer has told the Premier League website that Emile Smith Rowe looked so at home in the North London Derby, while he also lauded his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka.
What’s the story?
Mikel Arteta secured one of the most important wins of his tenure at the weekend. The Gunners beat Spurs 3-1 at the Emirates.
Arsenal blew Tottenham away in the first-half. Both Smith Rowe and Saka got on the scoresheet for the home side.
And the pair of academy graduates both provided an assist, with Saka setting up Smith Rowe for the opener 12 minutes in.
Shearer named both youngsters in his team of the week, with Smith Rowe receiving particular praise for proving that he belongs on the bigger stages.
“The 21-year-old just looked so at home in the derby, opening Tottenham Hotspur up time and again. He was a deserving man of the match,” he told the Premier League website about Smith Rowe.
“He took full advantage of the space he was given with his goal and assist. Superb,” he added, on Saka.
Arsenal could have special team for years to come as Saka and Smith Rowe shine
Of course, Arsenal fans will be wary of getting carried away. It was not long ago that it seemed almost inevitable that Arteta would be losing his job with the Gunners losing their first three games.
And Tottenham went into the clash off the back of two 3-0 defeats in the league. So they are not in the best place.
But there is no question that Arsenal have a group of exciting players who could be North London Derby stalwarts for years to come.
Saka and Smith Rowe are certainly the most impressive. But their back five could also be around for some time.
And there are also further prospects threatening to knock on the door in the coming years.
Arteta probably still needs to prove that he is the right man to take Arsenal forward. But if he does, the Gunners have a serious amount of potential to tap into.
