Mikel Arteta is considering taking a gаmble by giving Arsenal’s emerging young talents a chance in a Champions League deаd rubber against PSV Eindhoven. Ethan Nwaneri, Reuell Walters, and Lino Sousa, all products of the Arsenal academy, traveled with the team to the Netherlands and have a realistic chance of getting some playing time in a match that presents an ideal opportunity for experimentation.

If Nwaneri features, it will mark his first appearance since becoming Arsenal’s youngest player and setting the Premier League record when he came off the bench against Brentford at the age of 15 years and 181 days in September 2022. With Arsenal lacking depth at full-back, there is hope that 18-year-olds Walters and Sousa, who play on the right and left respectively, will make their senior debuts at some point.

“These are three promising prospects,” said Arteta. “We want to continue developing players from our system. They deserve to be here. We want to start giving them some experience because they have the talent to be very close to us. If possible, we will try to give them the opportunity.”

Nwaneri, a talented attacking midfielder, had attracted interest from Manchester City and Chelsea. However, Arteta emphasized the importance of providing him with hope and a visible pathway to first-team football, ultimately convincing him to stay at Arsenal. “When you have someone like that, you have to give them hope,” Arteta stated. “I think [giving him a debut] was a strong sign for him that this was his place to keep developing.”

The encounter with PSV, whom Arsenal defeated 4-0 at the Emirates Stadium in September, holds no material consequence for either side. Arsenal secured the top spot in Group B after a resounding victory against Lens two weeks ago, while PSV secured second place with a tҺrilling 3-2 win over Sevilla. Nevertheless, Arteta expects his team to maintain a strong mentality and not slack off.

“We already have five or six significant injuries, so we are already a bit thin,” Arteta explained. “I don’t know what I would have done in a different context, but I want everyone to have the mentality to win. I want to see that in their attitude.”

Arteta expressed his satisfaction at seeing Emile Smith Rowe return from his latest ιnjury setback and join the team on the trip. He praised Smith Rowe’s commitment to his rehabilitation and the positive reaction of his teammates to his comeback. Arteta believes that giving Smith Rowe opportunities will benefit the team.

Gabriel Martinelli remained behind due to illness, but Bukayo Saka, who made his Arsenal debut at the age of 17 in a Europa League match, traveled with the squad despite a minor foot ιnjury. Saka, who rarely gets a rest from Arteta, is expected to start, and there should be opportunities for Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson in other attacking positions. The continued selection of David Raya in goal for a match of minimal importance could suggest that Aaron Ramsdale may need to seek a future away from Arsenal.