Arsenal manager Unai Emery says Joe Willock, Reiss Nelson and Matteo Guendouzi deserved to start in Sunday's 1-0 win over Newcastle United.
The inclusions of Nelson and Willock meant it was the first time Arsenal had named two English teenagers in their starting XI for a Premier League game for the first time since February 1998.
And Emery says the trio were picked on merit after a strong preseason.
"They deserved it from pre-season," he said. "Matteo Guendouzi also played a very solid game in the middle.
"We need to work and play with every player. We need to give them chances and confidence but take every game seriously like we are doing.
"For us, we need to continue. We have some injuries, some players out and I want to have a big competitive squad for every match, and I think we are going to need that."
