Arsenal boss Arteta issues bold Smith Rowe promise as he makes injury return

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been impressed by the recent progress of Emile Smith Rowe.

Emile Smith Rowe has endured a frustrating campaign so far. Having been on the outskirts of the squad last season, the Arsenal man will have been hoping for a greater degree of involvement this time around.

However, injuries have conspired to significantly limit his game time once again. So far this season, the 23-year-old has managed just eight appearances across all competitions. Of those outings, only two have been starts.

Smith Rowe was an integral figure for the Gunners in the 2021/22 season, when he bagged ten Premier League goals and established himself as a fan favourite and potential future star at the Emirates Stadium. He even broke into the England squad, and now has four caps to his name. His last appearance for his country came in 2022, though.

Since then, the Hale End academy graduate’s career has stagnated due to persistent fitness concerns. What’s more, the form of the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard has served to push him further down the pecking order. This has all left the player’s future with the north London club in doubt.

Smith Rowe undoubtedly has vast potential. He is technically gifted, has great attacking instincts and an eye for goal.

What next for Emile Smith Rowe at Arsenal?

Now, though, there is reason for optimism. Smith Rowe is back in training and has travelled with the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League face-off against PSV Eindhoven. The midfielder may not quite be fit enough to be included in the starting XI for this match but there is a strong chance that he will make it onto the field at some stage.

Mikel Arteta is certainly confident that Smith Rowe is now ready to put his injury woes behind him and kick on. As quoted by the club’s official website, he said, “what he has been through is part of the experience that 95 per cent of footballers have to go through. That’s difficulties, injuries, setbacks and different kind of performances too.” 

“He’s back now, and he can use that in a very powerful way, he will be a much better player. I think he’s on the right path, the way he’s done his rehab, I haven’t seen it like he’s done it this time. I think you have seen how his team-mates reacted to him being back with the team, which is a really positive thing as well. The more we can give him chances to play, the better we will be. So let’s hope that’s going to be the case.”

It would be a massive boost for the Gunners if Smith Rowe could maintain his fitness and get back to his best, or be even better than ever before, as Arteta suggested. He has the capacity to have a hugely positive impact for the club this season. 

It will be fascinating to see how much faith Arteta still has in Smith Rowe. It is hard to say, at this stage, how regularly the manager will use Smith Rowe if the player can stay fit. Clearly, the England man must prove his worth and fight his way back up the pecking order. He has the talent to do just that, though.