OUR PERFECT COMBINATION

Academy boss Mertesacker says young diamonds Saka and Smith Rowe can fire the Gunners back into big time

PER MERTESACKER believes Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe can carry Arsenal back into the Champions League.

Arsenal academy director Mertesacker says the two England prospects are good enough to inspire a new generation of young talent at the Emirates.

Gunners starlet Saka, 20, is one of the country’s brightest prospects while Smith Rowe scored for England Under-21s this week.

And ex-Arsenal defender Mertesacker believes the pair are vital to the club’s hopes of returning to the top four.

Mertesacker said: “We’re asking Bukayo and Emile to lead us back to the Champions League.

It’s always been a narrative at Arsenal to give young players a chance to play at the top.

“If you ask Bukayo and Emile they will tell you how they were inspired by Jack Wilshere, Cesc Fabregas and Hector Bellerin (insets top, middle and bottom). So the next generation of Under-9s players at the academy will be inspired by these players.

“However, they will speak about the bumpy road, their learning, that journey that hasn’t always been easy. We are giving young players the chance to learn to be vulnerable, to be exposed to the highest level and to be proper leaders for this club in two or three years’ time, while acknowledging they probably need to suffer before they bring us back to glory.

“That’s my expectation. Hopefully Bukayo and Emile can take the next level of talent into the first team and challenge them.”

Arsenal have also signed a ground-breaking deal with technology firm STATSports to allow young players and fans to use the same information as the first team and academy. They will see data such as speed, distance covered and how long spent in the “red zone” from Arsenal’s first team and be able to compare themselves against the club’s stars.

B u t Mertesacker knows that mentality is as important as physical attributes. Saka’s mindset has helped him not only overcome the heartbreak of the Euros last summer, but also reach the top as many of his youth team pals fell by the way side.

Mertesacker added: “Even the huge disappointment in the summer in terms of missing the penalty. That’s the making of Bukayo Saka. It was a lot on him but he will deliver for England and for Arsenal in the upcoming years, you can be assured of that.”

■ THE new STATSports Arsenal FC Edition is available from the 18th October at www.statsports.com/ arsenal