Arsenal played a behind-closed-doors friendly against Leyton Orient on Saturday, with Emile Smith Rowe’s involvement notable for a number of reasons.
There is a great deal of doubt about Emile Smith Rowe’s future at Arsenal this summer.
There is certainly an argument, for the good of his own career, that the 23-year-old needs to leave the Emirates Stadium. He is no longer a central figure in Mikel Arteta’s plans, having fallen down the pecking order in North London.
Arteta has insisted that he still values Smith Rowe as a player, but game time has been extremely limited for the midfielder in the last two seasons. Recurrent injury issues have been a factor in his lack of minutes, but there have been plenty of other opportunities for the 3-cap England international to play, when he has been fit and available, and the manager has still left him out.
Arsenal have made it clear that they want to respect Smith Rowe’s wishes this summer. Whilst they aren’t looking to force him out, they will not stand in his way if he decides he wants to leave and their asking price is met by a suitor.
Fulham and Crystal Palace are both keen on securing the Hale End academy graduate’s signature, but as yet Smith Rowe has made no indication that he wishes to leave Arsenal.
Emile Smith Rowe given captain’s armband in Arsenal friendly in show of approval from Mikel Arteta
The reason that he may not be keen to say goodbye to Arsenal, beyond the emotional tie he has with the club he’s represented since the age of ten, could be that Smith Rowe senses that a route back to enjoying a starring role still exists for him.
Smith Rowe came on as a half-time substitute in a friendly match against Leyton Orient at London Colney on Saturday, and quickly put the Gunners 2-0 up with a crisp finish.
With half an hour to go, club captain Martin Odegaard was taken off. At this point, Smith Rowe was handed the captain’s armband. As the most senior player still on the pitch, it made sense for it to come to him, but it still represents something of a show of faith from Arteta.
Plenty of Arsenal fans will be hoping that that is the case, and that Smith Rowe can get back to his best and revive his Arsenal career in this coming season.
Not only did he bag a goal and look sharp in this friendly, but the handing over of the armband may have also been an indication that his future still lies in red and white
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