Arsenal are set to face Blackpool in the FA Cup 3rd Round tie on Saturday and academy youngster, Bukayo Saka could be named in the starting lineup.
Unai Emery was asked about the team he would pick against the Tangerines and the Spanish boss said, “I am using different players because of injuries, because of coming out of [several] matches [close together], but it is not a period of rotation, it is a period to take a big performance against each team we play.”
“Saka debuted in his last match and it is important for us to give chances to the young players. He was playing because at the moment we haven’t a lot of players who have the possibility to play on the right or left wing and he is growing with good performances.”
This should give the 17-year-old a huge boost in confidence, especially during Cup games within such busy schedules. He made his U17s debut for the Gunners in August 2017 and made 26 appearances for the U18s last campaign, managing 8 goals in the league.
He quickly climbed his way up to the U23s and scored on his debut against Liverpool. Emery decided to hand the winger his senior team debut in the Europa League fixture against Vorskla Poltava in November and his first start against FK Qarabag on 13 December 2018.
Saka was also brought on as an 83rd-minute substitute in the 4-1 Premier League win over Fulham. With Emile Smith-Rowe, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Mesut Ozil injured at the moment, the teenage attacker could be strongly considered this weekend to take on the League One side.
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