The former Manchester United star claims that if Arsenal are to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2017, they will be reliant on their two main men.
Rio Ferdinand, a former Manchester United defender, has stated that Arsenal's chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season are dependent on the fitness of young duo Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
The Gunners are certainly in contention for fourth place, as they are now level on points with fifth-placed West Ham and have three games in hand on David Moyes' side.
Mikel Arteta's men recorded a crucial 2-1 home victory over Brentford in their most recent league that saw both Smith Rowe and Saka get on the scoresheet.
Smith Rowe opened the scoring with a delightful right-footed finish, his ninth Premier League goal of the season and his tenth overall.
Rio Ferdinand has stated that if Saka or Smith Rowe are injured, Arsenal will be in "big trouble"
Saka's thunderous left-footed effort came soon after, giving the Gunners a two-goal cushion until the end of stoppage time.
Ferdinand claims that both of Arsenal's academy graduates will be pursued by "big clubs" this summer, but he praises Arteta for putting his faith in the two youngsters.
"What I liked about this weekend is that, with the exception of West Ham, all of the teams vying for fourth got positive results," Ferdinand said on his Vibe with Five podcast.
"If Saka and Smith Rowe are injured, I believe Arsenal will be in big trouble.
Arsenal's most important players are Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe.
"ESR is doing his thing, and I've been a fan of him since the beginning of the season. I believe he is a player that other major league clubs will be interested in."
Arteta's reign at Arsenal has been turbulent at times, but Ferdinand believes there has been visible progress under the Spaniard's leadership.
"All jokes aside, I believe Mikel Arteta is constructing something there.
"Mikel Arteta is creating an environment there that I believe players will want to play in," he says. I think the young players he's assembled and is building his team around are exciting.
"I think this window is going to be big for them; they have to get it right; it depends on where they finish and what type of player they have to go after."
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