A host of Arsenal and Manchester United youngsters participated in their respective Europa League matches.
Arsenal’s youngsters impressed against Standard Liege. Gabriel Martinelli (18) scored two good goals, while Joe Willock (20) and Dani Ceballos (23) scored one each in their 4-0 win.
Meanwhile Manchester United delivered a very dull performance in their 0-0 draw against AZ Alkmaar.
For Arsenal, apart from Willock, Ceballos, Martinelli, Reiss Nelson(19) also played the match. While, Brandon Williams(19), Angel Gomes(19) and Mason Greenwood (17) were part of the United line-up.
Michael Owen, former Liverpool and Manchester United striker believes that some of the Manchester United youngsters “are not good enough.” According to him, in the current condition, they’ll “either sink or swim”, because they are just being thrown into a non-structured side.
Ex-Arsenal defender Martin Keown said, “I think the special ones will swim, and the not more special ones will sink.”
According to Keown, Arsenal youngsters are coming into a more settled structure at Arsenal.
“I can see what Arsenal are trying to deliver, and each player is almost a copy version.”
“You see the midfield, quite structured, and there’s a better balance to it.”
“There’s almost a wing and a prayer for a Manchester United youngster to come in and do well. For these at Arsenal, there is a better platform,” said Keown.
Owen, while talking about United youngster said, “Some players aren’t good enough, that’s the problem.”
“At Manchester United, with all due respect, if they had a very solid team, Mason Greenwood would still be coming through and getting his chance but some of them wouldn’t be necessarily be given a chance.
“You can say it’s harsh on them, but it’s not – it’s probably great that they’ve played for Manchester United and they can now go on to have good careers elsewhere.”
