Kepa Arrizabalaga hailed "special kids" Max Dowman and Marli Salmon following the 16-year-old duo's impressive displays in Arsenal's FA Cup triumph at Mansfield.
Mikel Arteta handed the highly-regarded academy prospects starting berths as the Premier League pacesetters made nine alterations for Saturday lunchtime's fifth-round visit to a capacity One Call Stadium.
Dowman shone on a testing afternoon in Mansfield where, at 16 years and 66 days old, he became Arsenal's youngest ever FA Cup player on his first outing since November after recovering from an ankle problem.
Centre-back Salmon's display also defied his young age despite inadvertently assisting Will Evans's equaliser following Noni Madueke's opener, on an afternoon when super substitute Eberechi Eze netted the decisive goal in a 2-1 victory that secured passage to the FA Cup quarter-finals.
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Arsenal shot-stopper Kepa said: "Wow – at 16, they play at the highest level. And how they play – they play so well. They're special kids who are used to training with us, they're used to being around us.
"They had the opportunity, I think they took it, and I'm so happy for them."
Jaden Dixon also demonstrated glimpses of his ability after the 18-year-old, recruited from Stoke at the conclusion of the winter transfer window, made his debut as a substitute.
Arsenal were forced to work harder than perhaps anticipated, but sterner examinations await, with Champions League last-16 meetings against Bayer Leverkusen scheduled either side of next Saturday's home Premier League encounter with Everton. March concludes with the Carabao Cup final against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, as Arteta aims to secure his first piece of silverware since hoisting the FA Cup in 2020.
Kepa recognises that mindset will be crucial, just as it was in Mansfield. "The goal was to progress to the next round, and we're prepared," stated the Spanish international.
"We now turn our attention to the Champions League with a couple of significant fixtures, and we'll remain focused. We were aware that these types of matches and competitions are always challenging.
"It was a tricky encounter today, but we remained focused and understood what was at stake. So, yes, the most important thing is that we've advanced.
"I think we anticipated that. We have to compete in these types of games – they're not straightforward. The pitch conditions require adaptation – there are no excuses. We had to adjust and secure the victory."
Mansfield can hold their heads high after their first appearance at this stage of the FA Cup since 1975, with Rhys Oates delivering a man-of-the-match performance against the club he supported growing up.
"It's simply a dream come true, really," he expressed. "I said as a child I just wanted to either play for Arsenal or play against Arsenal. I've achieved that now. It took 31 years, but I've managed to do it and I made sure I savoured the entire day."
