Alan Smith says Arsenal have two players in their ranks who’ve sprinkled ‘stardust’ on the team

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Arsenal duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe have been lauded by Gunners legend Alan Smith for sprinkling “much-needed stardust” on a “mid-table team”.

Despite being just 19 and 20, the two Hale End graduates have been superb for the senior team since their respective breakthroughs.

Saka became a first-team fixture last year and hit the ground running with four goals and 11 assists from 39 appearances, despite playing 16 of those at left-back.

This term, he has registered seven goals and seven assists from 38 appearances, looking dangerous every time he’s on the pitch, and with his game steadily improving.

Meanwhile, Smith Rowe has broken into the first team this season, making his full Premier League debut in the Boxing Day victory over Chelsea.

And both players were in amazing form in Thursday night’s Europa League victory over Slavia Prague, which saw the Gunners run out 4-0 winners in the Czech capital.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Fulham, Smith reckons Mikel Arteta could potentially look to give them both a rest.

“There are bound to be changes to the vibrant Arsenal line-up that took Slavia Prague apart last night,” he wrote in the Evening Standard.

“Mikel Arteta might think, for instance, about resting key players, which means omitting Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe, the youngsters sprinkling much-needed stardust on this mid-table team.

“With or without them, Arteta will not want to see any drop in standards. It is now about maintaining momentum for the Europa League.

“It is also about building for next season, when big improvements will be expected.”

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Let’s face it, the table doesn’t lie – Arsenal may be one of England’s biggest clubs but as things stand, they are mid-table.

It’s been a tough season for the Gunners but Smith Rowe and Saka have ensured it’s not been all doom and gloom thanks to their superb performances.

With Arsenal now in the Europa League semi-finals, silverware and a Champions League place remains within reach – but there’s still a lot of work to be done.