Kevin Campbell is delighted to hear that Arsenal will soon tie Emile Smith Rowe down to a new long-term contract amidst interest from Aston Villa.
The midfielder has emerged as one of the best players to graduate from the Arsenal academy system.
He broke into the first team last late year and has become one of their most important players.
Aston Villa has also noticed his talents and the Premier League side have been keen to make him their newest player this summer.
Arsenal has rejected all their offers so far and Football London’s Chris Wheatley revealed recently that Arsenal has plans to offer him a new deal and they are confident that he will extend his contract with them.
That update has delighted Campbell who believes it is a step in the right direction by the club and it would be “massive” when they get Smith Rowe on a new contract.
He told Football Insider: “To get the Croydon De Bruyne on a new deal would be massive.
“Listen though, I will only be relieved when he puts that pen to paper. We know Aston Villa have been coveting him from a great height.
“At the end of the day he has come through the ranks with us. He is an Arsenal boy through and through.
“I know Arteta rates him very highly but perhaps he wants guarantees over his game time next season. Aston Villa’s pursuit of him gives him maybe a little bit more leverage.
“This is a deal that Arsenal have to get done and the sooner it is done the better.”
Waste of an article – like we all didn’t know all of this already!
Contract is only half the issue, Arteta has to play him and give him the minutes.
He is still developing, but can definitely contribute from the midfield this year. He also defends which is always welcome.
Hopefully time as a 10 or even B2B in some matches; he’s wasted on the wing and we have Pepe, Saka, Martinelli already not to mention our current 2 year train wreck Willian.
Agree D. Not yet the finished article but a super prospect and don’t believe he can carry the no 10 spot alone all season(although he may have to!), but winger is not his position, and we have others more suited.
Good point re B2B – I think his efficiency there depends on how open the oppositions midfield is. I’ve seen him boss games there, but he can also disappear if its congested, and at those times I wish he was playing higher up.
Did you catch the Hibs game? Willian was given a great threaded through ball to the byline, but he couldn’t be bothered to run for it, and gave the provider a withering “how dare you expect me to break sweat” look. So same old lazy B this season!
Agree Durand and guy, ESR’s career has to be managed regarding playing time. Arsenal also has Joe Willock, a proven EPL goal scoring B2B midfielder with Newcastle United. Hopefully, he will get similar opportunities to those he received under Steve Bruce?
ESR should be tied down to a new contract asap. I agree that Willock should be also given opportunities as ESR alone will not be able to carry the load for the entire season and is game time must be managed.
Why don’t we try willock or miles as b2b, to partner party…. Willock have scored from there….. We need to give Smith Rowe, willock and Nelson game time… Nelson hardly loses the ball on possession need some work…