“We Have To Give Him Minutes” – Arteta Set To Give Smith Rowe His Chance

Emile Smith Rowe hasn’t featured much this season…

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has backed Emile Smith Rowe to shine in the second half of the campaign and is ready to give him the platform to perform, the Spaniard told the press.

Smith Rowe’s minutes have been very limited since he returned from his knee injury, a setback which came just as the 23-year-old was winning back the manager’s trust.

The England international started in our 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United in October, but a knee injury would keep him out for six weeks.

Smith Rowe returned midway through December and despite the busy schedule Arteta had to juggle, the playmaker wasn’t given a start.

Now, with rumours rife of interest from West Ham United regarding a loan deal, Arteta has reiterated his happiness with the Hale End graduate and promised to give him his chance.

West Ham have indeed registered an interest in signing Emile Smith Rowe from Arsenal on loan. Deal remains some way off but it is being discussed. As reported by @ExWHUEmployee

— Jason Burt (@JBurtTelegraph) January 19, 2024

“I’m really happy with Emile, he’s on the right trajectory now he’s settled and he’s training really well,” Arteta said ahead of our game against Crystal Palace.

“You know that I’m not going to talk about any individual situation.

“No change, Emile is Emile,” the boss added when asked if he’s seen something different in the midfielder.

“He’s got incredible qualities, we are really happy to have him and what he needs now is chances to put all those desired qualities on the pitch. In order to do that, we have to give him minutes.

It’s not the first time Arteta has made these comments about Smith Rowe and, unfortunately for the academy graduate, it hasn’t always resulted in more playing time.

Granted, Smith Rowe has struggled to stay fit for any length of time – though the Gunners No.10 is currently fully fit.

Arteta has this habit of completely ignoring players who return from a lengthy injury, especially if it’s a player that’s consistently on the treatment table.

Smith Rowe will only have two years left on his contract come the summer – we’re in do-or-die territory.