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Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has told Arsenal’s young talents to be patient and warned them of the pressure on their shoulders if they are thrown into the spotlight of the first team.
There has been a recent outcry for Mikel Arteta to back up his precocious youngsters due to terrible form lately.
The Gunners have not won a domestic game since 1 November and are 15th in the Premier League table, just four points from the relegation zone, ahead of the London derby against Chelsea tonight.
Most of Arteta’s seasoned players have experienced a drop in form at the same time, with players like Willian, Granit Xhaka, and Alexandre Lacazette struggling.
Aubameyang hasn’t been his usual self either, scoring just one goal in open play in the Premier League since opening day victory in Fulham.
Such is the collective form of the team, fans have been calling for the inclusion of young players such as Folarin Balogun, Emile Smith Rowe and William Saliba.
Aubameyang has missed the last two games with a minor calf injury and it remains to be seen if he will be fit to line up against Chelsea.
If he loses and a player like Balogun or Eddie Nketiah replaces him, the captain has told them that it will be up to them to prove they belong to the first team in the future.
“When you are a young player trying to get ahead at a club like Arsenal, there is sure a lot of pressure,” he said.
“You have to be patient also because we have great players who are playing in the first team, so it is always difficult to break through.
“I remember when I played for AC Milan it was always very, very difficult to get into the first team, so I know that kind of feeling.
“With the Europa League this season, there have been maybe more opportunities for the youngsters to get minutes. We saw some young players in our last European game and we have also joined them in a lot of training lately.
“For them it is not easy, but when you have the opportunity you have to take advantage of it and I think they are doing well when they have had the opportunity so far.
“You can see the young guys always perform when they come in because the coaches are doing a great job with them to get them ready for the games. The rest is up to them.”
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