The Arsenal faithful have been waiting for a trophy for nine long years, and on Saturday night, they finally got their wish. The Gunners defeated Chelsea in the English Conti Cup final, ending their trophyless run and giving manager Mikel Arteta his first piece of silverware since taking charge of the club in December 2019.
The victory was made all the more special by the performance of Arsenal’s young stars, with Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli all playing key roles in the win. But it was the performance of academy graduate Eddie Nketiah that really caught the eye.
The 21-year-old striker scored the winning goal in the second half, and his performance was praised by Arsenal legend Martin Keown. “He’s a young player who’s come through the ranks and he’s been given an opportunity,” Keown said. “He’s taken it and he’s been absolutely outstanding.”
But it was the performance of another academy graduate, Joe Willock, that really caught the eye of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. The 21-year-old midfielder was a constant threat throughout the game, and his energy and drive was a key factor in Arsenal’s victory.
After the game, Arteta was full of praise for Willock, saying: “Joe was outstanding. He was everywhere. He was running, he was tackling, he was creating chances. He was a real leader on the pitch and he deserves a lot of credit for his performance.”
Arteta’s praise was echoed by Arsenal legend Anders Eidevall, who was full of admiration for Willock’s performance. “Joe Willock was absolutely outstanding,” Eidevall said. “He was the driving force behind Arsenal’s victory. He was everywhere, and he was the one who made the difference.”
Eidevall also praised the performance of Arsenal’s other young stars, saying: “Bukayo Saka, Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli all played their part in the victory, and it was great to see them all playing so well. They are the future of this club, and it’s great to see them making an impact.”
The victory was a huge moment for Arsenal, and it was made all the more special by the performance of their young stars. With the likes of Saka, Smith Rowe, Martinelli and Willock all playing key roles, it’s clear that the future of Arsenal is in safe hands. And with Eidevall’s praise ringing in their ears, the Gunners can look forward to a bright future.