MIKEL ARTETA has revealed he is ‘tempted’ to unleash the attacking quartet of Emile Smith Rowe, Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal have never started a game with all four players on the pitch, but that could change for tonight’s clash against Wolves.
Smith Rowe, Saka and Odegaard all started together last weekCredit: GettyMartinelli could be added to the mix against WolvesCredit: Getty
Martinelli was suspended for the 2-1 win over Brentford at the weekend, but Smith Rowe, Saka and Odegaard all started together.
And now Martinelli is back available Arteta is contemplating chucking him in the mix as well to complete a fearsome looking front four.
With Saka and Martinelli both just 20-years-old, Smith Rowe aged 21 and Odegaard the eldest at 23-years-old, the Gunners would take on a particularly youthful look.
Speaking on the possibility of them starting together against Wolves, Arteta said: “They have played together – Emile played as a left attacking midfielder, which is another position he can play.
“I am tempted, yes, because they want to play and when you see players training and playing the way they do, you want to throw them all on the pitch. Unfortunately, 11 is the limit.”
It’s safe to say Arsenal fans are excited by the prospect of the awesome foursome lining up alongside each other.
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One wrote on social media: “This would be the new age Salah Mane Firmino and Coutinho.”
While another gushed: “We’re actually gonna bang, never been more excited.”
And a third added: “It’s about time!”
Arteta also went on to hint that both Smith Rowe and Martinelli are capable of leading the Arsenal line.
Alexandre Lacazette has been heavily involved since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure, and could be in for a rest soon.
Plus with the Frenchman set to leave alongside Eddie Nketiah at the end of the season, Arteta needs players to step up in their absence.
On the pair possibly playing up front, Arteta said: “It depends on the role you want to play and the role you want from the nine.
“They have very different qualities, they would change our structure and the spaces that we would attack, the positions that would threaten, how they fix the opponent in certain areas.
“It would depend on the behaviour of the opposition as well, to understand which context would benefit both of them.
“They have changed quite a lot of positions as well and we have to be careful sometimes with how much we change them.
“But the moment they are ready, it is another opportunity to use them as well in the future.”
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