Ex-Manchester United ace praises Arsenal’s youth following Watford win

Ex-Manchester United and England defender Gary Neville has backed Arsenal’s youth to lead the club forward.

The Gunners claimed an important three points in the race for top four at the weekend as they beat Watford 3-2 at Vicarage Road.

Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli scored for the visitors and are three of a number of Arsenal youngsters that have formed this new-look team.

After a poor start to the season, Arsenal have massively improved with the youth taking the reigns, and Gary Neville has plenty of praise for them.

Speaking to Sky Sports on Sunday, Neville said: “[Arteta] is [backing] good youth.

““He has got players there, was it two years ago against Chelsea when there were a few players missing for various reasons?

“And he brought in Saka, Martinelli and Smith Rowe. He brought those three in that day and we thought, ‘This could be difficult’. And they were sensational.

“I think, from that moment, Mikel Arteta has recognised that is the way forward for the club. That he wants players he can work with. He can grow with and he can mould. They will have that fighting spirit.”

The Gunners’ win over Watford took them into a Champions League spot - one point above Manchester United with three games in hand.

Despite having the advantage in the race for the top four, Neville is confident in his former team to take the final spot come the end of the season.

“I don’t fully trust Arsenal, I think it will be brilliant for the club and Mikel Arteta if they do it, that group of players has been fantastic,” he said.

“But they’ve still got some big games to play - United still have to go to Arsenal and there’s a long way to go. United could still do it.”

Mikel Arteta’s side still have Manchester United and Liverpool to face, while the Red Devils have a much tougher fixture list with Tottenham, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea still to play.