Three starlets Emery must unleash in Arsenal’s Europa League campaign

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European football is back at Arsenal and Unai Emery, who famously won three Europa League titles in a row with Sevilla, is looking to guide the Gunners towards continental glory.

The North London side have struggled to find their footing in the early stages of Emery’s reign but have started to improve in recent weeks, winning three consecutive Premier League matches to provide a significant boost in confidence.

Balancing the squad is crucial though and plenty of rotation is likely during the group stages of Arsenal’s Europa League campaign and Emery must use the opportunity to hand chances to this Gunners trio.

Emile Smith-Rowe

The 18-year-old attacking midfielder caught the eye for the Gunners during pre-season, scoring a superb strike against Atletico Madrid in the process, and looks to be a superb alternative to Mesut Ozil and Aaron Ramsey to lead Arsenal’s creativity.

Smith-Rowe has since established himself as a crucial player for the U23 side, scoring two goals in four Premier League 2 appearances and also finding the net in the EFL Trophy victory over Coventry – which suggests he is ready for the step up to senior football.

Joe Willock

Just 19-years-old, Joe Willock made his Premier League debut for Arsenal earlier this year against Newcastle United and also enjoyed regular tastes of Europa League action last season in a campaign where he came of age.

Willock will now be looking to push for regular opportunities this season and should be a shoe-in for the matches in Europe, where he can start to show form and could give Unai Emery something to think about in the months ahead.

Eddie Nketiah

Nketiah caught headlines in the League Cup last season, scoring off the bench after just 15 seconds to beat Norwich City in what was only his second senior appearance – with his first being a late cameo in the Europa League.

Since then, the young forward has earned three appearances in the Premier League and stands as a player who could become back-up to Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang in the first team as Danny Welbeck’s future continues to attract plenty of speculation.