Stuart Pearce says Arsenal have produced ‘best two young players in europe’
Image credit: Getty Images
Former England defender Stuart Pearce has praised Arsenal for developing what he calls the “two best young players in Europe,” despite another trophyless season for the north London club.
Mikel Arteta’s side fell short in all competitions, finishing second behind Premier League champions Liverpool, exiting the Champions League at the semi-final stage to Paris Saint-Germain, and missing out in both domestic cup campaigns. The Gunners have now gone five seasons without silverware, prompting renewed calls for reinforcements in the upcoming summer transfer window.
But Pearce remains optimistic about the club’s trajectory, pointing to the emergence of Bukayo Saka and Myles Lewis-Skelly as key reasons for encouragement.
“Arsenal are on an upward trend,” Pearce said on the Seaman Says podcast with Betway. “They’re a very stable club in what they’re trying to achieve. They’ve been consistently finishing in Champions League places, and with one or two smart signings, they can push to the next level.”
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Pearce was especially full of praise for the club’s academy products, stating: “They’ve got the best two youngsters in European football in Saka and Lewis-Skelly. That’s a real plus for Arsenal, and it shows how well the academy is functioning.”
Arsenal stars Myles Lewis-Skelly and Bukayo Saka (Image credit: Getty Images)Saka, 22, remains a central figure for both club and country, while 18-year-old Lewis-Skelly has enjoyed a breakout season and is widely considered one of the most promising talents in the Premier League.
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Reflecting on the competitive nature of the league, Pearce noted that this season posed new challenges. “You’ve had mid-table teams like Fulham, Brentford, Brighton, and Crystal Palace all taking points off the top sides,” he said. “It’s not a backward step for Arsenal — it’s a reflection of a stronger league.”
Pearce also defended Arteta amid criticism over the lack of a prolific striker. “It’s not easy to go out and buy someone who scores 25 goals a season,” he said. “Everyone thinks it’s simple until someone like Chris Wood scores 20 goals and fans start asking why we didn’t sign him. That’s football.”
Arsenal closed their campaign with a 2-1 win over Southampton to secure second place in the Premier League for the third consecutive year. With a crucial summer window ahead, the pressure is now on Arteta and the club’s hierarchy to build on that foundation and finally end the long wait for silverware.
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