Bate vs Arsenal: Martin Keown congratulates ‘magnificent’ youngsters and ‘nervous’ parents

ARSENAL fielded five teenagers in their Europa League win over Bate Borisov tonight and Martin Keown was impressed with them all.

Arsenal's Reiss Nelson scores fantastic free kick

Reiss Nelson, Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Joe Willock all started for Arsenal.

Marcus McGuane and Eddie Nketiah both came off the bench, with Josh Da Silva, Vlad Dragomir and Charlie Gilmour unused substitutes. 

Keown says the nervous parents back home should be proud of their children.

“What we should say as well, congratulations to those young Arsenal players,” he said on BT Sport.

“Come through the academy, all those nervous parents sitting at home. 

Their kids were playing miles away from home, I thought all of them were magnificent in the way they played

Martin Keown on Arsenal youngsters

“Their kids were playing miles away from home, I thought all of them were magnificent in the way they played. 

“Particularly Nelson, there’s a big future there, he looks a wonderful talent. 

Arsene Wenger will look at that, nurturing the youngsters is really important.”

Jack Wilshere played the whole game and having come through the same path as those youngsters, is a role model for them, says Keown.

“We know with Jack it’s about consistency with his health,” he added.

Bate Arsenal Reiss Nelson Joe WillocBT SPORT

Bate vs Arsenal: Martin Keown has congratulated the youngsters who player tonight

“He’s got through the 90 minutes which is great for him. He’s always been a wonderful talent, Wenger most of all will be really pleased to see him back. 

“He’s available for Arsenal and that’s really good news. He’s had some dreadfully bad luck. 

“He’s the sort of shining light for these young academy players. 

“He’s been through that journey and more Arsenal players are getting through. 

“That’s why I’m particularly pleased to see all those kids in that Arsenal team.”

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