Emery sees a 'very big' future in Arsenal youngsters

Emery is prepared to hand the reigns to the bright collection of youngsters Arsenal have brought in from Hale End and beyond, a thrilling collection of young attackers supplemented by shrewd investments in talented prospects from around the world.

The outline of that team is taking shape. In defence Rob Holding, Hector Bellerin and Kieran Tierney are all 24 and under though they look positively like old timers compared to those further forward.

Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Bukayo Saka, Ainsley Maitland-Niles Reiss Nelson and Joe Willock are all products of the academy who feature in Arsenal's long-term plans. In the case of the latter three they all have a more immediate role in Emery's plans and have started each of the first two games of the season.

If the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mesut Ozil and David Luiz are good enough to ensure that Arsenal remain in contention for a top four finish in the short-term it is those youngsters in whom Emery sees a "very big" future.

"We are using young players, because I am sure we have some young players playing now, although they're on the bench or in the Under-23s. They are coming – they are coming in the near future to be very big players," he said.

"And we need also to achieve a big mentality, a big spirit, with some experienced players, some young players, because they are giving us a lot of energy – a lot of power in their wish to achieve and help us.

"We want to do it this way with that spirit – with experienced players creating a big mentality, continuing to improve, being more competitive and using young players."

A bone of contention for Emery's critics last season were the limited opportunities afforded to youngsters including Nketiah and Willock, both of whom were excelling at U23 level but were regularly called up to the senior squad only to be confined to the role of unused substitute.

The early signs this term are that that has changed and Emery appeared to be making a significant statement in Arsenal's home opener when he opted to drop Henrikh Mkhitaryan, rather than Nelson, for the game against Burnley.

It was a match in which the 19-year-old struggled to make an immediate impact and by the interval he was withdrawn in favour of Nicolas Pepe, the club record signing who is expected to take his place in the starting lineup at Anfield on Saturday. When asked whether he might fear handing starts to Nelson and Willock Emery was clear that he had as much need for youthful vigour as experienced heads.

"That is only my focus now. Maybe they can be in the first 11 or not – some young players. Maybe another player with experience or not. But really we need the young players to share their energy and capacity and hunger and we need also the experienced player. We need both. Not only for Saturday but each match.

"For example Reiss Nelson started against Burnley in the first 11. But he struggled more than we wanted that match and also [more than he wanted]. But that is once experience for him. But it is once experience to learn quickly for the next match how he can get better his action individually and collectively.

"Also I am speaking to him and saying 'Reiss you are very good in one on one but you need also tactically to improve how to decide each action on the pitch technically or with your teammates to do one passes or one in one moment and get in the box and take experience'.

"It was difficult for us and some players. This is one process in Reiss Nelson and Saturday in Liverpool is the same another step and experiences. But we need to have and get experiences with the idea we will win."