Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford last night gives the North London outfit an excellent chance of retaining the FA Cup this season, while good league form has Arsene Wenger’s side sitting pretty in the top four.
Although some of the Emirates Stadium faithful will feel aggrieved at the lack of a title push and a potential exit from the Champions League at the hands of a modest Monaco side, there are other promising signs of progress in North London.
Arguably the most pleasing thing for Wenger this term will be the fact that two young stars that have patiently waited for a chance to impress have been given that opportunity and excelled.
In midfield Francis Coquelin has been recalled from a loan stint at Charlton and shown that he has the attributes to be an essential member of the Gunners’ side.
Meanwhile, with Mathieu Debuchy’s injury having Wenger weighing up his other options at right-back, Hector Bellerin has stepped into the breach and shown that he is certainly not out of his depth.
The development and evolution of these two young stars will be a fillet for Wenger, who has proven himself over the years as a manager capable of breeding young talent in the Premier League.
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However, with the Gunners starting to spend big on the likes of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez, the balance of being able to rely on young players from the academy is a desirable aspect also.
Bellerin has started nine Premier League games this season and been very consistent; so much so that the youngster has a shot at being the North London club’s first choice at right-back.
With the 19-year-old Spaniard’s only other senior football a handful of games for Watford last season, opposition wingers would have been rubbing their hands when Bellerin’s name was initially on the Gunners teamsheet.
However, the forward-thinking full-back has shown maturity beyond his years and slotted into the team’s back four seamlessly.
Coquelin’s ability to command the Arsenal midfield has been even more impressive, with the 23-year-old Frenchman looking like one of the Premier League’s best defensive midfielders this season.
Recalled from a loan in The Championship to cover for the glut of injuries in the Arsenal midfield, most would have expected the Laval-born man to make a few appearances before leaving the club this summer after his contract expired.
However, Coquelin has provided the balance in the Arsenal side that has been missing since the days of Patrick Vieira; a determined, physical and dynamic enforcer in front of the team’s defence that has allowed the attacking elements of the team to stream forward at will.
The Frenchman’s statistics in relation to successful tackles and interceptions have been mightily impressive in the 13 appearances he has made, with Coquelin earning himself a new deal at the Emirates Stadium in the process.
There is no doubt that Arsenal need to spend big this summer again if they are to keep pace with the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City.
That said, Coquelin and Bellerin have shown that they have exciting futures at the club and highlight the importance of giving youth team graduates a chance on the biggest stage.
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