As the 2019-20 season got under way, I think there were two main things that Arsenal fans were excited about. The clutch of Hale End academy products, as the club communicated clearly that the likes of Bukayo Saka, Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson and Ainsley Maitland-Niles would form a core part of the first-team squad. Matteo Guendouzi and Gabriel Martinelli added an international flavour to this youth explosion [though, in truth, we have probably all been surprised by the speed of Martinelli’s ascension]. The plan to integrate younger players was partly financial necessity dressed up as a “core value” by the club suits, but it makes sense to give bit-part roles to young players when...
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