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Mikel Arteta expressed satisfaction in providing young Ghanaian Charles Sagoe Jr an unexpected first-team opportunity during Arsenal's Carabao Cup victory against Brentford on Wednesday evening.
The Gunners secured a 1-0 win, with Reiss Nelson scoring the decisive goal, earning them a fourth-round clash against West Ham.
Arteta opted for a significantly altered Arsenal lineup, resting key players such as Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and William Saliba from the starting XI.
Sagoe Jr, a product of the academy, was thrust into the front three alongside Nelson and Eddie Nketiah. Arteta acknowledged this as a reward for the 19-year-old's consistent performances in the youth teams in recent times.
“Obviously the context of the situation with a lot of injured players helped that possibility. But every time we can we have to look in our academy and give chances,” Arteta told a post-match press conference.
“Chaz was probably one of the most consistent players we’ve had in the under-23s for a few months.
“He’s been training with us quite a lot and it’s about giving opportunities to people and if we don’t give it today, when are we going to give opportunities to our youngsters?
“I’m really happy that he had a good experience.”
The Gunners secured a 1-0 win, with Reiss Nelson scoring the decisive goal, earning them a fourth-round clash against West Ham.
Arteta opted for a significantly altered Arsenal lineup, resting key players such as Martin Odegaard, Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Declan Rice, and William Saliba from the starting XI.
Sagoe Jr, a product of the academy, was thrust into the front three alongside Nelson and Eddie Nketiah. Arteta acknowledged this as a reward for the 19-year-old's consistent performances in the youth teams in recent times.
“Obviously the context of the situation with a lot of injured players helped that possibility. But every time we can we have to look in our academy and give chances,” Arteta told a post-match press conference.
“Chaz was probably one of the most consistent players we’ve had in the under-23s for a few months.
“He’s been training with us quite a lot and it’s about giving opportunities to people and if we don’t give it today, when are we going to give opportunities to our youngsters?
“I’m really happy that he had a good experience.”