Arteta stance on forgotten Arsenal star who’s played 112 mins in 2024 now emerges

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Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe has been the subject of transfer speculation all season long, given the limited role he has played so far.

Smith Rowe is a popular figure at the club and among the Arsenal fanbase, as a Hale End Academy graduate, and a highly talented midfielder.

In his last full season, he scored 10 Premier League goals from the middle of the park, with his finishing, dribbling and technique all outstanding. However, several injury problems have disrupted his progress since.

The Englishman is now back in the squad after yet more injury issues in recent weeks, but was an unused substitute in Arsenal’s 6-0 victory over Sheffield United, and many have questioned why Mikel Arteta is seemingly reluctant to use him. However, he could still have a future at the club.

Does Emile Smith Rowe have a future under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal?

Despite featuring for just 112 minutes of action in 2024, and just one start in all competitions, it appears that Arteta is not ready to give up on Smith Rowe just yet.

Speaking on the Arsenal Beat Podcast, journalist Jordan Davies explained that Arteta may want to see if he can help bring Smith Rowe back to his best form once he is fully behind his fitness issues.

“I feel like Smith Rowe does (have a future),” he stated.

“I feel like Arteta sees Smith Rowe, and sees what he can get out of him, and will try getting him back to the levels that he once was.”

Arsenal cannot give up on Smith Rowe just yet

The 23-year-old’s lack of action against Sheffield United was surprising given how impressive he looked off the bench against Newcastle in the previous game.

Smith Rowe started and looked sharp against Nottingham Forest in January, but an unlucky ankle roll in training kept him out for a short period after that.

Despite his lack of action in the last two seasons, selling Smith Rowe in the summer would not go down well with a lot of fans.

Smith Rowe’s potential is huge, and given that he broke into the first team at a similar time to Arsenal talisman Bukayo Saka, if he can find his best form again he has the talent to become a first-team regular, and one of the key faces of the squad.