Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta rubbishes concerns over Gunners lack of leaders as Spaniard insists he DOES have key dressing room figures to guide young stars
- Arsenal have targeted young additions as part of their recruitment this summer
- Mikel Arteta says young players like Bukayo Saka really developed last season
- The Gunners have spent £130 million on five new players, all of them 23 or under
- Arteta insisted he has leaders in his dressing room to help guide the youngsters
Mikel Arteta has dismissed concerns Arsenal lack the leaders to help guide his young arrivals.
Arsenal have turned to youth in a clear transfer policy with all five new additions — among them Martin Odegaard and Ben White — from their £130million spree being 23 or under.
And Arteta insisted the development of some of his other younger players — such as Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe last season — is proof he has the right support network in his dressing room.
Mikel Arteta has rubbished claims that his Arsenal squad badly lacks leadership figures
Emile Smith Rowe (left) and Bukayo Saka (right) were impressive for the Gunners last season
‘I think the best way to do it is to ask the young players,’ said Arteta, whose side are pointless after two games, and travel to champions Manchester City on Saturday.
‘They live that situation every day. And when you see the evolvement they have had in the last year or so it’s thanks to those players who are constantly helping them and giving them support, encouragement, telling them how good they are and how much they are helping the team — so probably that question is better for them.’
