Mikel Arteta claims one ‘fantastic player’ has blown him away in Arsenal training

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal fans are desperate to see Emile Smith Rowe given more opportunities, and Mikel Arteta has now hinted that they may get their way very soon.

Smith Rowe’s lack of game time has been a concern, and he was even linked with a loan move away as his future is far from clear.

He has struggled with injuries in the last year and a half, but was one of Arsenal’s best players in the 2021-22 season, and one of the most popular players at the club as he became a key performer alongside Bukayo Saka as products from the Hale End academy.

Mikel Arteta has seemingly been reluctant to give him significant minutes, but has now praised the 23-year-old, and explained what has encouraged him in recent weeks.

Mikel Arteta praises Emile Smith Rowe training performances

Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of Arsenal’s trip to face Nottingham Forest, Arteta hinted that we could be about to see a lot more of the England International.

“Things are coming together for him. Obviously, he had a difficult injury again and difficult spell. And he’s training really well,” he claimed.

“I think he’s really pushing to get more and more minutes and we are trying to do that because he’s a fantastic player.”

Mikel Arteta needs to give Emile Smith Rowe more chances

Arteta has praised Smith Rowe on several occasions, but in reality, he has rarely handed him opportunities from the start, no matter what he does off the bench.

Smith Rowe was impressive in a cameo against West Ham, with several other players underperforming, but was an unused substitute in the next game as the underperformers fell to another defeat against Fulham.

The Englishman was impressive off the bench against Crystal Palace last time out, but it remains to be seen if a trip to Forest is the best time to throw him in. There is a case to be made that a more defensive midfield with Jorginho coming in would be the smart move at a ground where Arsenal have struggled.

Arsenal then face a tough game against Liverpool where again, a more conservative midfield may be selected, but this month will see Arsenal face Burnley, Porto in the Champions League and Newcastle at home, where Smith Rowe could be given starts to prove why he can become a key option in this team in the long term.