Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta opted against giving Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa and Reuell Walters any senior minutes against PSV in the Champions League.
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Arteta had hinted trio could featureBut all three players stayed on benchArsenal drew 1-1 in final group matchWHAT HAPPENED?
Arsenal took on PSV in the Champions League on Tuesday with qualification for the last 16 of the tournament already assured. The Gunners played out a 1-1 draw against the Eredivisie side, with Arteta making eight changes to his starting XI and naming youngsters Ethan Nwaneri, Lino Sousa and Reuell Walters on the bench. However, he ultimately decided not to blood any of his starlets and explained why after the match.
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Arteta said: "I don’t think it was the right context. Making eight changes already, to throw them in there against a team that hasn’t lost at home in nearly two years, I didn’t think it was the right moment. I wanted to see how the game developed, but it was too much I think for them and as well we had three little issues, and we had to play the subs, and we had no room because we really wanted to play Emile as well."
GettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Nwaneri, Sousa and Walters are likely to feel disappointed as Arteta had hinted the academy products could feature ahead of the game.
“Three big prospects. We want to keep developing players from our system. They deserve to be here," he told reporters. "We want to start to give them some experience because they have the talent to hopefully be very close to us. We will try to give them the opportunity if we can.”
The trio will need to continue to be patient as they wait for their senior debuts and the chance to impress in Arteta's first team.
Getty ImagesDID YOU KNOW?
Nketiah and Reiss Nelson were involved in Arsenal's goal against PSV. The duo are the first English pair to combine for an Arsenal goal in the Champions League for nine years
