'It’s crazy!' – Aubameyang hails three Arsenal players ahead of Newcastle clash

Arsenal captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has backed Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka to have ‘fantastic careers’ and says it’s a huge boost to have Gabriel Martinelli back from injury, a player he believes can be ‘really dangerous’ in the second half of the season.

Mikel Arteta came under intense pressure after a dismal start to the campaign but the Gunners are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions and the club’s youngsters have led the charge during their recent resurgence.

However, there was more than a tinge of disappointment from an Arsenal perspective as Crystal Palace held them to a goalless draw at the Emirates last Thursday and Arteta’s men will hope to get back to winning ways in the Premier League this evening against Newcastle, who they beat in the FA Cup just over a week ago.

‘It was disappointing not to keep up our winning run on Thursday but you have to give credit to Palace too,’ Aubameyang told Arsenal’s matchday programme for their clash with Newcastle.

‘They defended well and made it very difficult to play through them, and we couldn’t create enough dangerous opportunities to get the goal.

‘We put the effort in, we kept going, but we missed that final pass or that final action at some key moments.

‘We have to take the point though and try to get back to winning games this evening against Newcastle.

‘We know we have the talent to do that we want to get back to the way we were performing in the last few games.’

Aubameyang said the amount of talent coming through at Arsenal was ‘crazy’ and reserved special praise for Smith Rowe and Saka, who have been central to the club’s success over the winter.

‘Our young players have been a big part of our recent form and I want to give them some credit for that. We are lucky to have this really talented group coming through, and I can see from training and now the games how much progress they are making,’ the Gabon striker added.

‘Emile Smith Rowe is doing really well at the moment, he’s still you, so we know he can progress a lot. But he’s helped the team a lot since he came back from injury.

‘Bukayo Saka has been in the team for a while now but don’t forget he’s still really young as well – it’s crazy when you look at all theses good young players coming through here.

‘They have all got big, fantastic careers ahead of them, I’m sure about that, because they are all positive guys but humble as well. They want to learn, they want to make a big progression and that’s what makes the difference.’

Martinelli’s injury frustrations continued as he missed Arsenal’s draw with Palace due to an ankle problem and Aubameyang is delighted to see the Brazilian make such a speedy recovery.

He continued: ‘It will be great to see Gabi Martinelli coming with us after his injury too, because it’s clear how talented he is.

‘It’s great to have him with us for the second half of the season because he can be a really dangerous player for us.’

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