When Arteta needed someone at Anfield to come off the bench and help retain possession, he trusted Trossard, with Smith-Rowe an unused sub.
When our manager chased a winner at the London Stadium, Vieira, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah were all deemed more suitable alternatives then Smith-Rowe.
Smith-Rowe equally didn’t make an appearance in our 3-3 draw with Southampton.
Out of our 5 substitutions made on Tuesday, Smith-Rowe remained a spectator.
This is a player the likes of Aston Villa were rumoured to be willing to pay 30 million for and apparently are still interested in making a transfer happen.
From a business point of view, the Kroenke Family have every right to question why they shouldn’t cash in on an asset who isn’t being utilised.
Our owners made that mistake before with Maitland-Niles, turning down a 20 million bid from Wolves for an academy graduate who will now leave for free in the summer.
It’s hard to gauge what Arteta’s opinion is of Smith-Rowe.
Arteta said a couple of months ago: “He knows how much we love him, and we know how much we missed him and how much we need his qualities.
“And now he needs to prove it, he needs to prove how much he wants to win, and how much he’s going to contribute to this team to be better and win.
“And he’s going to have to show that to get in the team.
“I think we have to manage his load, but for sure he’s in a position where we can throw him in the team at any moment.
He’s valued him since his first full campaign as manager, with the 22-year-old getting 11 goals in the last campaign, earning him 3 caps for his nation.
After all parties seemed to downplay the seriousness of a groin injury (which required surgery) it’s not apparent if Arteta is choosing not to rush the youngster back into action, or he has seen something to believe the player’s powers have waned?
What we do know is the Spaniard can be ruthless once he loses faith in you.
Our boss has strong principles on and off the pitch and isn’t afraid to wash his hands of you if he feels you can’t follow his ethos.
It remains my biggest criticism of his style of management, but that’s not his fault that he has been allowed to think this is acceptable.
His employers should be reminding him that he gets paid a lot of money to get the best out of the resources he has to work with.
If he sees flaws in a talent, it’s his job to teach and train to make someone better. That was meant to be his major skill at the Etihad. Yet instead, Arteta washes his hands of individuals the moment he sees something he doesn’t like. As his first ever job in the dugout he knows no different, it’s up to those who pay his wages to tell him different.
Ozil and Sokratis were paid to sit at home when not registered for squads, Guendouzi was never given a second chance so was loaned out while his value decreased. Bellerin, Mustafi and Aubameyang had their contracts ripped up, our record signing Pepe is loaned out because suitors know Arsenal won’t dig their heels in for a fee. Maitland-Niles, Mari and Cedric are all loaned out to get them off the wage bill till their contracts expire.
The list could go on.
At the club since the age of 8, Smith Rowe has been taught to play the Arsenal way, being able to play in tight spaces and move the ball quickly. He’s the closest we have to playing in the same manner of an Odegaard.
Not trusting his ability would be one thing because the player could prove doubters wrong elsewhere. The saddest part would be Smith-Rowe physically not trusted. The mind willing but the body not, with there no reason to publicly admit that.
I hope not because Smith-Rowe is a talent who can get to the very top if he stays fit.
My hope is that Arteta simply is being over cautious, not wanting to rush a player back where every match is must win and the pressure is immense. Choosing it’s best to give the player a full pre-season to get himself fresh.
If not, I’m meant to believe that decisions are purely being made from a football point of view? That a Vieira or Nelson are deemed more likely to spot a pass, produce a moment of magic, take on their man or retain possession than a Smith Rowe?
I would question that thought process.
Why do you think Smith-Rowe isn’t featuring?
Does Arteta still trust him?
Is he the latest talent to be frozen out?
Would you accept an offer in the summer?
Dan
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Maybe because Arteta thinks left-footed CMs pass the ball to the left side quicker/ more frequently and balance out our passing flow. If Smith-Rowe’s weaker foot was as adept as Cazorla’s or De Bruyne’s, I believe he could’ve got more minutes
Smith-Rowe may get more chances at the beginning of next season, because Xhaka will be 31 years old and Vieira will have his second season. That could be a possibility, if Arsenal don’t recruit new CMs
But when you play Odegaard who always drifts on right side then you need right footed player who can play as inverted CM like ESR
I still believe he would have done better that Viera who is still struggling to play in EPL
May be in the absence of Xhaka, Arteta should have started with ESR in midfield instead of Viera..
He can be very good replacement for Xhaka because his reading of game is good..
But he need work on his long range shooting like Xhaka..
ESR’s long range shots are still weak….
His finishing is good but he needs some long range shooting boots
I also think Smith-Rowe could thrive in Xhaka’s position, if he plays in more games. But Arteta seems to want to make more crosses from the left wing, hence the left-footed AM in that half-space
I think giving Viera more minutes it’s unfair on ESR. Arteta should start using him in games to prepare him more in case Xhaka gets injured or tired. I don’t think his left leg not been too good is an excuse because he was used more regularly last season and he did very well scoring goals. It’s up to the coach him very well that dude is really talented when in form.
Unless Vieira has minimum playing minutes or games in his contract. We’ll see whether it is the case or not next season
I personally don’t have a problem with Artetas style. If people can’t contribute to being successful then in any business it’s better to try recruit people that can. If we don’t we may never win anything again
So Viera and Xhaka have helped us win our first title in 19 years? Arteta needs to develop a horse’s for courses mentality. IThe changes he made worked against a dysfunctional Chelsea, but can that same group of players succeed at Newcastle. I’m not at all confident. Perhaps a more mobile Smith Rowe would be a better fit. We’ll find out in a little over 24 hours.
It is not a big deal.
I think the first priority with Smith-Rowe has been to get him through this season without a recurrence of the injury and it looks like we are there.
Second priority is to decide where he fits in the side and that is probably competing with Odegaard and Xhaka. He has no chance of ousting Odegaard but would love to see him given a run out in Xhaka’s place.
thumbs up
Reading the comments made by Arteta are curious you have to admit.
So ESR still has to prove himself; thought 10 goals last year would give him the benefit of any doubt at least.
And yet Vieira gets chances in spite of playing horrible and stinking up the pitch.
Why would one player “have to show that to get in the team” while another isn’t held to the same standard?
Eerily similar to Willan and how he got called on often in spite of an incredibly poor and hollow season. Vieira has shown he desperately needs a loan and is simply not ready for the PL; not physically, mentally, or productively
ESR has been struggling with injuries and had surgery on his groin. First of all he needs to be fit and available.
Spot on Durand! I honestly think that MA is completely alone in thinking Viera suitable for our level fooball and even for the PREM at all. I have seen not a single post wishing Viera to play, instead of ESR.
I DO NOT EXPECT TO SEE ONE EITHER. I SHARE THAT OPINION TOO.
As for the mystery of why Willian played so often, words fail me!!
Good points Jon.
Managers have their favorites and preferences, and players they trust. I’m not denigrating Arteta, we see that from every manager.
It’s definitely surprising, to me at least, how Arteta prefers giving chances to Vieira who has shown nothing every time he plays. It’s his same weaknesses showing every time, and it’s a madness to expect something different.
Meanwhile, ESR was a game changer off the bench last year as a sub, and had good performances when Arteta had to play him as the squad suffered injuries in previous year’s December I believe.
Hopefully ESR will get chances in central midfield where he shines. Vieira clearly needs a loan as he is unsuited to the league in several aspects.
After a year on loan Arteta can reassess Vieira and make an informed decision to sell or use as cover on the bench.
I don’t believe Arteta has any problems with ESR, but he has been struggling with injuries for several years, and had surgery on his groin in September. Most of us want to see him play again, but first of all he need to get fit and available for selection. He’s well-being is much more important than our fantasies and conspiracy theories.
Here is a link to an interesting article about ESR. https://www.football.london/arsenal-fc/news/emile-smith-rowe-arsenal-injury-26564156
Not knowing what goes on behind the scenes, I’m puzzled, so I’d rather not speculate.. My guess is that Arteta sees ESR as a.n inferior Odegaard . However, I believe that provided we have a reliable defensive midfielder to balance the shape, a fit Smith Rowe would be the perfect playe,r with the ability to assist Odegaard and then link up with either Saka, Martinellii, Jesus or Trossard. Why Arteta would rate him below Viera is a mystery of the imagination.
It was absolutely essential for Arteta to be “ruthless”. There is nothing odd or “curious” about it. The players need to prove to the manager why they should be playing this season.
Solely blaming the manager for a player not performing to their potential does not make sense. It is remarkable that these issues are being debated again. There is not one of those players listed that an Arsenal fan should be regretting that they were moved on. Any player who isn’t able to demonstrate their ability and/or the right attitude will have to be shifted. It’s that simple.
After all there are players in that team who have shown year on year improvement. We are now again one of the most feared teams in the league.
Why anyone is still pining for the likes of Sokratis and Ozil beats me.
As someone who defends MA from what I CONSIDER UNFAIR ANDUNTHIKING CRITICISM, I do however find it mystifying that MA certainly APPEARS, to have certain players he refuses to on; Holding, Elneny and the latest being Viera, who seems to most of us – to judge from endless similar comments – to be physically and mentally unsuited to Prem pace and tough football.
Esp when the proven ESR seems to be wilfully neglected and is I suspect becoming so frustrated that he may well be considering asking for a transfer, from the club he loves. It is as bad as that. And mystifying too!
Equally, the constant playing of SAKA, WHEN HE HAD CLEARLY GONE OFF FORM, rather than give the excellent Trossard a proper chance, is odd to say the least. ESR is surely, by now, properly match fit so his exclusion seems at best odd and at worst , stupid!
I was astonished that he left the highly productive and bang in form Martinelli on the bench against Chelsea,even though he came on early in second half.
I’m not sure that Arteta is washing his hands of ESR. I rather think that Arteta isn’t entirely sure that ESR is fully focused for whatever reason . I can’t defend why MA has had a soft spot for Vieira but in the main a manager will pick who he thinks can make a difference and he seems to be of the opinion that currently Smith Rowe isn’t up to standard.
As for washing your hands of certain players then there have been well documented opposing opinions on the likes of Ozil, Guendouzi and Auba who I don’t miss at all. Arteta is trying to build a better culture at Arsenal and he didn’t need that shower. Paying them off was infinitely better than keeping them as there is a much better atmosphere on the pitch and on the couple of occasions I’ve been to the Emirates this season, the crowd have bought into that too
With Martinelli and Saka clearly showing signs of fatigue,the fact that Arteta is reluctant to use ESR and Nelson is difficult to understand .He has also underused Trossard and Nketiah both of whom have made decent contributions when called upon.The apparent lack of trust in certain players could be construed as a flaw in the make up of our Manager as talents such as ESR and Tierney would attract considerable interest from top Clubs if they are transfer listed despite their injury problems.
Grandad, Tierney and ESR just seem to be discarded. For better players?
I’m still trying to understand the reason why some people worry much about something they know little or nothing about. If I remembered correctly Martinelli was in this kind of situation when he kept getting injured.. despite he’s potential he was left on the bench for a long period of time… Look at him now is that decision not working for all parties?… Let’s leave Coaching job for the coaches… Thankfully managers and coaches are subjected to changes at anytime if they are not performing to the expection of the club… So it’s of no use for fans to always complain about which player to start or not.. let the manager lay his bed the way he knows .. he will definitely face the music later on either good or bad.
Yes Olamide, it seems people have short memories. As you quite rightly said, the same thing happened to Martinelli the other year, and people were saying the same things they are saying now regards ESR.
Because we are seeing players get picked ahead of him not as good who havnt done what he’s done
He has been struggling with muscle injuries for several years, and had surgery on his groin after the Man. United game. According to ESR has he been struggling to get fit again and have several setbacks. I prefer facts instead of speculations 🔴⚪️
👍
Surprised I have I had to scroll this far to see this comment. When I was reading the article I kept thinking this is similar to Martinelli situation.
Which better players? To be fair Zinchenko and Odegaard are very good against week opposition like Chelsea. The whole season they have performed badly against strong teams. How many times has Odegaard been replaced when the team is losing? How do you rely on a playmaker who doesn’t make a difference when the team is losing? ESR proved last season that he is very capable but Arteta does not like him and Tierney. How does he justify not using the two. My opinion is that he wants his own players even when the ones he saw at the club are better.
We lost a lot of points because of the insistence to use Zinchenko when his strategy to get him infield has been canceled by the opposition.
There is a clear reason why City sold Zinchenko and Jesus to us. They are inferior to the replacements brought in by Pep. We have performed beyond expectations this season mainly because of Saka,Martinelli, Saliba, and Partey. The moment their form has dipped and Saliba is injured the team has struggled.
Tierney should be playing as the left back and ESR must be given a 50 50 chance with Odegaard.
Agree.
@Grandad.valid points/questions.I don’t understand it either.
ESR in the past has shown more than many young players what he can do. What has gone on? Why is he not used by Arteta? We dont know but i dont see him stopping next season. A little different but Arteta never trusted Willock and sold him wrongly in my opinion. I can see the same happening with ESR. Viera getsca game and ESR doesn’t, i am sorry, that is all wrong. Viera fits the brief, Willock and ESR dont?
How to keep talents encouraged and motivated has been Arteta downside as a manager. Am piqued that Smith Rowe is not being given enough game time he deserves. Where really is Arteta’s head? His wrong substitutions in our recent games is what has now cost us the EPL title – at the last moment!
I don’t think ESR has done anything to warrant inclusion in the starting lineup. Players cannot be voted into the team, they have to leap on to the few chances they are afforded at the tail end of games. Nelson did that, and continues to show urgency and hunger whenever given a chance.
If history and previous performances were determinants for team sheets, ESR and Obameyang would be the first names on.