Mikel Arteta hopes the rise of Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly can be the rebirth of Arsenal having a British core in the squad.
Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly have broken into the Arsenal first team this season, with the latter earning a call-up to the England squad on Friday morning.
Arteta is “very proud” of Lewis-Skelly, who is only 18, and believes it is important for Arsenal’s squad to have a core of England players in it.
The Spaniard was at the club over a decade ago when they famously tied down five British players - Aaron Ramsey, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Carl Jenkinson, Jack Wilshere and Kieran Gibbs - to new contracts at the same time.
It was part of a push by Arsene Wenger to create a British core and Arteta would love to recreate that now.
“Very important. I think culturally, I think because of our history and we’re an English club, to have that DNA that represents us as a club and then having a lot of academy players as well,” said Arteta.
“I think it’s something very, very positive, so I’m very proud of it. I think that’s great, I think it attaches people to the football club, it makes them proud.
“I think everybody wants to see academy players and English players driving and being the face of the football club, I think it’s really important.
“I think it has to happen organically; you cannot force it, especially with those two (Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly). Now it’s really good news because they deserve to be where they are, they are doing great and there’s a bright future ahead of them.
“Hopefully, there are many more [academy players coming through behind them], but again, it’s something that time will tell.
“And as you used the word fast-tracking players, if they are good enough, there is no problem to that, but at the same time they really have to earn it to play at this level.”
Arteta believes Nwaneri, who has been called up to the England Under-21 squad, and Lewis-Skelly will be in “good hands” during the international break.
“Thomas [Tuchel] is a top coach, I know a few people around him, and his setup in England, and I have no doubt that they will do the right thing with him (Lewis-Skelly),” said Arteta.
“Both of them (Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly), they have great family, their environment and they are in charge of that part of the education.
“Obviously, we have a big responsibility and a lot of things that are related to that as well, but they are in good hands.
“We are here just to support and guide them in many other aspects and if they need something then they know that they can open the door and have that conversation.”
