Arsenal’s young players once again made it into multiple Teams of the Week after the latest round of Premier League fixtures.

LEEDS, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with Kieran Tierney after scoring their team's third goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on December 18, 2021. (Photo by Naomi Baker / Getty Images)
LEEDS, ENGLAND: Bukayo Saka of Arsenal celebrates with Kieran Tierney after scoring their team’s third goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on December 18, 2021. (Photo by Naomi Baker / Getty Images)

Arsenal managed a big away win against Leeds United at the weekend, with their young forwards playing a starring role as they have so often this season.

The BBC’s Garth Crooks has selected two Arsenal players for his Team of the Week – Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

On Saka, Crooks compares the 20-year-old to a young David Rocastle, suggesting he was “brilliant” against West Ham and “even better” against Leeds. Crooks adds that Saka has been “the most consistent Arsenal player” for a season and a half.

As for Martinelli, Crooks praises the young forward for being “quick, direct, and not lacking in confidence in front of goal”, adding that “this lad is to be taken very seriously”.

It’s no real surprise Martinelli made it in, after two goals and five chances created against Leeds. The Brazilian also featured in WhoScored’s Team of the Week, alongside Martin Odegaard.

Odegaard also created five chances, including three ‘big chances’, and he ended up with a sublime assist for Emile Smith Rowe before his late substitution. He was definitely a deserving inclusion in addition to Martinelli.

LEEDS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 18: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their team's first goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on December 18, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
LEEDS, ENGLAND: Gabriel Martinelli of Arsenal celebrates after scoring their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Arsenal at Elland Road on December 18, 2021. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)

Smith Rowe, Saka, Martinelli, and Odegaard make up four of Arsenal’s top five in terms of Premier League goal contributions this season. The fifth is Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, level with Odegaard in joint-fourth place.

The fact that the under-23s are still leading the way as we reach Christmas is both impressive for them and disappointing for the older players.