Emile Smith Rowe is doing one thing better than Leandro Trossard that Arsenal badly need right now

Add as preferred source on Google

Emile Smith Rowe will be looking at his former club Arsenal and wondering why things didn’t work out.

The Hale End graduate was Mikel Arteta’s favoured number 10 during the 2021/22 campaign however, things quickly changed for the midfielder. 

In 2024, Arsenal reluctantly parted ways with Smith Rowe, who signed for Fulham in a bid to earn more game time in the Premier League. 

Three months down the line and Marco Silva is reaping the benefits of placing trust in the Englishman, who is thriving at Craven Cottage.

• READ MORE: Emile Smith Rowe shares the real reason he had to leave Arsenal for Fulham

Emile Smith Rowe is outperforming Leandro Trossard

With four goal contributions from his opening nine Premier League appearances for Fulham, Smith Rowe is finally enjoying his football again.

It’s a sight that will fill those at the Emirates with great joy, and possibly even some other feelings after the events of match day 10.

Arsenal lost to Newcastle United in a display that showcased little attacking spark, a game that cried out for a player of Smith Rowe’s profile.

• READ MORE: Five things we learned as Arsenal suffer damaging 1-0 defeat vs Newcastle

The Gunners have suffered a period of creative stagnancy in the absence of Martin Odegaard, an issue running concurrently with their former player’s playmaking prowess.

Leandro Trossard has been called upon to fill the void left by Odegaard and so far, the Belgian has failed, with the numbers only reinforcing that. 

As per FBref, Trossard averages just 0.18 goal creating actions per 90 in the Premier League, which measures the two offensive actions that lead to a goal. 

To put into perspective the Arsenal forward’s struggles, Smith Rowe is averaging 0.72 goal creating actions per 90 for Fulham this term.

Arsenal need what Smith Rowe is doing right now

Parting ways with Smith Rowe was essential for the midfielder’s development however, there’s no ignoring the fact that the 23-year-old could have been of great use to Arteta this season. 

Losing Odegaard is one thing but having no one capable of replacing what the captain brings to the side is another.

Smith Rowe is proving that he could have been that figure if things were different, with Arsenal’s lack of depth a glaring issue for Arteta to address.

For now, the manager must understand that his trial with Trossard in the number 10 role has run its course, with the Belgium international showing little to suggest he’s offering something of use at this moment in time.