Mikel Arteta has claimed that Emile Smith Rowe could well be ready to play for Arsenal against Olympiacos tomorrow evening.
The midfielder has been missing since he had to be replaced in the first half against Leicester City last month, but made his return to full training today.
The manager admitted that he would be assessed after completing a ‘full session’ of training with the first-team squad this afternoon.
Arteta said in his pre-match press conference (via Arsenal.com): “Yes, he’s close to returning and he’s going to have a full session today to see if he can be involved in tomorrow’s game. After training we will know exactly where we are with him.”
Smith Rowe could well be a huge boost ahead of four important matches in the coming 11 days, with him earning his place amongst the regular starters once fit.
The club was struggling for form before the youngster got his chance on Boxing Day, and the team hasn’t looked back, and it would feel like a huge boost to be able to call on him against Olympiacos and Tottenham especially.
Our side was unable to claim all three points against Burnley without ESR at the weekend, and one could argue that the 20 year-old could have made the difference.
Is Smith Rowe more important to the team than realised?
Patrick
ESR is one of the few white academy players to play for the senior squad in recent years. Like Foden at Man City carrying the hope’s of millions of young white fans is no easy task. Fortunately unlike Jack Wilshire who was touted as being world class ESR has not yet had such expectations placed on his young shoulders. So I think we should be cautious with him. I would rather ESR was behind two older and more experienced AM not be seen as the number one AM at this stage of his career. I would start Odegaard and then bring Emile from the bench.
@Wyoming- why the description “ White Academy Player”? Am I missing something here?
I never comment on articles online ….until now. Can the website manager please ban Wyoming from posting in future. He is free to THINK what he likes but expressing those racist thoughts is not welcome by AFC or the society in general in which we live.
Don’t think that’s necessary, the guy is misguided but wasnt hateful. The response is clear – no one else cares about ESR’s skin colour. Everyone is hoping he succeeds, same as any of the other young arsenal prospects.
Ok he’s white so what? I only see red & white. Are you time traveling from mid ’60?
Wyoming. I don’t know what century you live in but decent ordinary people live in th 21st century where skin colour is no more relevant than what size feet you have or what car you drive. Why mention it then?
What has his colour got to do with anything @Wyoming.?
I can only assume that I am colour blind, as all I see is players wearing our famous shirt with a cannon on the front.
I’m also certain that is what every academy player sees as well, along with every sane, unbiased supporter of our club.
I’ve forgotten what point you were trying to make Wyoming.
Don’t see why Arteta is so fascinated with Odegaad
Haven’t seen anything special about him to warrant pushing ESR to the wing
my views too. in fact he should return to real alongside dani. these players are not offering their best
To be fair, Arteta has to rotate at some point, so I wouldn’t call it an obsession. ESR form dipped, and looked knackered, so was rested. Ceballos isn’t even a first choice pick.
I agree that neither have impressed me though.
Are you kidding me…,🙆🏼♀️, The boy has the talent, his foot work, drive and opening space. I would prefer we sign him outrightly from Madrid.
There are still areas in his game that should be developed just as our own ESR too.
ESR played left midfield in just one game, one game! I don’t get why people keep saying he’s been pushed out over Ødegaard as it’s clear ESR is the main man and Ødegaard is his deputy and they will only play together out of necessity.
From my point of view he shouldn’t start ESR in this game, maybe give him 10 to 15 mins to run the game down, so that he can start against Spurs by the weekend.
ESR is a very good player but putting pressure on him is not ideal and not the best. So persons complain MA isn’t playing him regularly as they want but it’s for the best.