MIKEL ARTETA has dreams of winning the Premier League with Arsenal’s very own Class of ’92. Under the mentorship of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United began to dominate English football from 1992 with academy stars like David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs and Gary and Phil Neville. By the end of the 2002/03 campaign, that group of Fergie Fledglings had won eight Prem titles, three FA Cups and one Champions League crown.

Back in August, with 23-year-old Bukayo Saka his only Hale End starting XI representative, Arteta said: “I want to have a team that's half academy, half foreign and win the Premier League and Champions League consistently.”. At the time, it sounded like a far-fetched press conference soundbite. Six months on, and Arteta’s Class of ’24 are making headlines in 17-year-old Ethan Nwaneri and 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly.

After joining the seniors on a pre-season tour of the States last summer, Lewis-Skelly has quickly become a cult hero from left-back, leapfrogging experienced pros like Oleksandr Zinchenko. Midfielder Nwaneri has been around Arteta’s squad for a few years now, making his name in September 2022 as the youngest-ever Prem debutant at 15 years and 181 days before another cameo off the bench at West Ham in February 2024.

But this season, the pair have seized their moment together, taking on the challenges of the top flight side by side. Jack Wilshere – who managed both in Arsenal’s U18s – previously suggested their immense talent was “uncoachable” at times. They have already made a combined 41 first-team appearances this term. Nwaneri has seven goals in 22 games. Lewis-Skelly has one goal in 19 games. ARSENAL stunned Man City 5-1 at the Emirates on Sunday evening.

It was an incredible result against their rivals of recent years. Here, we take a look at how the Gunners rated... David Raya - 7/10. Had very little to do in the first half but made a brilliant save in the 22nd minute to deny a goalbound header from Josko Gvardiol. Made another stunning save two minutes from the half-time interval, stopping a deflected Savinho shot from close range. Powerless to stop Erling Haaland's 55th-minute header from briefly levelling the scores.

Jurrien Timber - 6. Didn't offer his usual attacking threat going forward but was solid defensively. Picked up a pointless yellow breaking up a harmless counter-attack in the 24th minute. Almost scored late in the second half. William Saliba - 5. Didn't have much to do in the first half but won all his aerial battles in the first 45 minutes. Marshalled the defence well early in the second period but was embarrassingly outjumped and outmuscled by Haaland for City's equaliser - a major flaw of his that continues to be exposed.

Gabriel Magalhaes - 6. Like his defensive partner, he was seldom called into action in the first half. Dominant in the air in his battles with Haaland, who he trolled after Odegaard's goal. Myles Lewis-Skelly - 8. Continues to endear himself to the Emirates faithful with composure and tenacity beyond his years as he brilliantly floated between left back and midfield. Put real daylight between the two sides with a thumping finish just after the hour mark. This young lad is a real bright prospect for both the Gunners and England.

His trolling of Haaland by copying the Norwegian's 'Lotus' celebration went down a storm with fans. Thomas Partey - 7. Steady in the heart of midfield and broke up play well when required. Fired the Gunners back into the lead in the 57th minute with a deflected shot from outside the box. Martin Odegaard - 7. Was in the right place at the right time to benefit from the aftermath of an uncharacteristic Manuel Akanji error and break the deadlock. Was at the heart of everything good the north Londoners did going forward.

Declan Rice - 6. Combative, as always, in the middle of the park and played a role in the home side taking the lead, teeing up Havertz who squared the ball to Odegaard. Leandro Trossard - 6. Was particularly lively on the left in the first half, giving Matheus Nunes a real run for his money. His end product, however, wasn't the best. Gabriel Martinelli - 6. Lively on the right wing in the early goings. Found the back of the net in the fifth minute after some beautiful play from Odegaard but was needlessly offside. Forced a good save out of Ortega with a rasping effort in the 68th minute.

Kai Havertz - 6. Lively early doors, testing Stefan Ortega with a tame shot in the first minute. Teed up Odegaard for a tap in a few moments later. Missed a golden opportunity to double the lead in the 25th minute, dragging the ball wide with the goal at his absolute mercy. Made amends for his howler by finishing an even harder chance in the 76th minute. He well and truly needed that as he looked absolutely devoid of confidence.