Arsenal, United usher in new era

Manchester United vs Arsenal
30 September 2019
Old Trafford
21h00

A new generation of stars will be on display when Manchester United tackle old rivals Arsenal at Old Trafford in the English Premier League on Monday.

Regular adversaries over the years, the late 1990’s and early 2000’s were dominated by the two clubs as they battled for the league crown season after season.

Both clubs, though, have gone through a transitional phase in recent years, trying to redeem the code to former glory. Both clubs have never been afraid to give young talent a chance and while Manchester City and Liverpool dominate the England football landscape at present, the two old foes of United and Arsenal have an exciting crop of youngsters that could in future fire them back to lofty heights.

Joe Willock has established himself as a first team regular

While established heads have been core to both the Red Devils and the Gunners title winning teams of years past, the two teams always boasted some of the most exciting young talent.

United have been more successful in recent times in bringing players up through the club’s academy and into the first team, but Arsenal – who were often touted to have the best youth academy in England – have showed signs of their former self.

Gabriel Martinelli scored two goals on his Emirates debut

In Joe Willock, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Reiss Nelson, Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka Arsenal have an exciting young and British core. Backed by the likes of Rob Holding, Calum Chambers and Scottish left-back Kieran Tierney there is a lot to be excited about as a Gunners fan.

Then there is the likes of 18-year-old Brazilian Gabriel Martinelli who scored a superb brace in the club’s 5-0 thumping of Nottingham Forrest in the Carabao Cup and 20-year-old Frenchman Matteo Guendouzi who’s performances in midfield for Arsenal recently earned him a call-up to the French national team.

United are equally blessed with exciting British talent in most notable academy graduates Mason Greenwood, Angel Gomes and Scott McTominay who have impressed this season.

Then there is recent recruit Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Dutch youngster Tahith Chong, Portuguese fullback Diogo Dalot and Welsh winger Daniel James who has made an immediate impact after leaving Swansea City for the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.

While both clubs respective fanbases demand immediate success – and rightfully so – the current gloom could well be short-lived with a promising future beaming in the near…. future.