Emile Smith-Rowe was a crucial part of England’s U21 team winning the Euro U21:
In the group stages, he was on the bench in the first game against the Czech Republic but was introduced as a sub and scored. He started the next match when England faced Israel, scoring once again. He was rested in England’s third game against Germany but came on as a sub. He was also a sub in the knockout match versus Portugal, which they won 1-0. Against Israel in the semis, Smith Rowe started as the left winger (playing 74 minutes). Against Spain in the final, he was started and managed 66 minutes of the game; Curtis Jones’ goal in the dying minutes of the first half won England the game. There’s no denying he played a massive part in England lifting the Euro U21.
Now he will take some time off and link up with Arteta and the boys as the team travels to the US for pre-season. So far, things are clicking for the 23-year-old, but one may ask, “Where does he fit in Arteta’s lineup next season?”
Initially, we knew Smith-Rowe would be an option on the left wing or as a playmaker. These two positions in Arteta’s team have evolved, with the left wing now Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard’s battle zone, and Kai Havertz taking the Xhaka role Smith Rowe should have inherited.
A groin injury saw the Arsenal No. 10 struggle for game time, but things won’t be easy next season. He may have to contend with Trossard as Martinelli’s backup, or he may have to play the backup role for Odegaard or Havertz at midfield. Fortunately, we heard from him a while back, saying how eager he is to fight for his chances next season. Suppose he takes each opportunity with both hands. In that case, he may still get plenty of opportunity to play, considering the different competitions the Gunners will be in, and Arteta will have no choice but to rotate his team week in and week out.
Considering how instrumental he was for England U21, that, plus enough chances in pre-season, should give him the momentum to live up to his expectations.
Daniel O
Waiting For Declan
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If Havertz is signed for the CF role, Smith-Rowe would just need to compete with Trossard, Zinchenko, Sambi-Lokonga and Vieira for Xhaka’s position
If Havertz replaces Xhaka, Smith-Rowe would likely get limited playing chances again
I honestly don’t see how Matinnelli would be bench for Jesus on the wings he remains the best on LW. Jesus will retain CF bcos of his work rate just like Lacazzet when he was around. Hence Havertz can play his traditional position as attacking midfielder. He will only need to work on his off the ball moves and defensive abilities like others ie Matinnelli and saka.
Martinelli is our best dribbler, but Jesus could score more goals if he can cut inside from the left wing more often
If Havertz plays AM, I think Smith-Rowe would need to find another club, to save his career
Havertz is not a centre forward.
I have a feeling he will occupy the positions that ESR will occupy.
ESR needs to leave for his own career.
Havertz has been playing false-nine for Germany. He recently played the role against Poland and Colombia
Smith-Rowe could be disappointed if he still doesn’t get enough chances to play in a central position after Xhaka’s departure
Gai, Germany are using Havertz because they don’t have an outstanding CF like the years past. In My opinion German football is on the decline, on a good day the Germany I have followed for more than 20years wouldnt use Havertz as a nine. Arsenal don’t need a false 9 GJesuw is a nine he only need to improve his goal scoring skills and do better this season.
We’ll see Arteta’s plan in pre-season matches
Germany actually have good CFs, such as Werner, Moukoko and Adeyemi, but all of them are small and have playing styles similar to Jesus’
I think Flick currently prefers to use a false-nine to help his midfielders
More reason Germany are no more like the Germany we all know.
They need a coach who don’t care about status but ruthless in the business.
cos been small doesn’t mean you score more goals.
Aguero is small, yet many big strikers can’t score more goals than him.
Flick is one of the best managers in the world today
Aguero couldn’t win UCL and World Cup, despite his goal scoring records
Giroud won World Cup without making a single shot on target, but he played well as France’s main front-line pivot and high-presser
I believe Flick’s plan is similar to Deschamps’ and Klopp’s, which uses a false-nine as a decoy and goal-scoring wingers
It seems you believe Germany is still the same Germany of 2014. Germany is not a team that will strike fear in any of the big country’s team anymore and more reason Havertz is playing as a false 9.
If Germany are the Germany of before. Havertz won’t make the starting 11. Is a pity Germany is now a bad team to defend now
Don’t forget rotation. We will need more of that this season given the number of competitors. The squad will be fully utilized this term. Smith will get a lot of game time. No player should leave for the fear of being selected in the first eleven.
👍 Critical point, Sb.
Arsenal plays on the front foot, that is our style and a part of our identity,
Smith Rowe must play the prototypical box to box midfielder, he’s built to be a monster in transition, taking on defenders on and eating up blades of grass to progress possessions for Arsenal.
The Englishman strength is through the middle, his skills on the ball using his agility and cleverness to move up the pitch in an efficient manner with minimal touches.
I think ESR can play left wing, left 8 and in the 10 position, but he is not yet the best available in any of those positions. IMO he needs to decide where his first choice is so he can develop his game to suit. He needs a path from MA in that regard, but once he decides he needs to be selfish so to be the best he can be. IMO Havertz was brought in to be a left 8, but secondly, also to be used as a right 8 if Odegaard is not available. ESR will be on the fringe, but he will get some games, he needs to be patient and then when the chance comes to show what he can do, he needs to take it. I am an ESR fan and hope he fulfills his potential, as a Gunner.
He won’t, that’s the issue regardless of others form or need for rotation. We don’t rotate and we don’t drop players based on form.
Unless he suddenly gets better than Martinelli / Trossard / etc. then as a substitute and domestic cup player.
ESR has time on his side to develope. We are now in the Euro’s and he will get game time. Alternatively he will be loaned out. I dont see the point in selling him at this stage because he has the potential to get a lot better, and his value will increase with time. Unless a team offers £40 million, it would be wise to keep him as he will improve.
I can’t remember where but there was an interview I read towards the end of last season where a worker at London Colney said Arteta had been training Smith Rowe in the Xhaka position since last season and that was the major cause of his limited game time. I read it in another place, making two same reports. So I’m thinking but not certain that Harvertz will play the 9 while Smith gets game time in the Xhaka position.
Havertz and ESR will be the two options for the left 8 position.
Odegaard and viera (massive drop off in quality at the moment) will be the options for the right 8, and rice and partey/new dm will be the 6s.
Don’t agree with the thought that rice will play in the 8, bit I think they will give him some licence to go forward when able.
Obviously having flexible options like this will make us more unpredictable, and enable players to switch when the situation calls for it.
ESR is too talented a player to be let go. Arsenal will be playing CL football along with the PL, FA Cup and the League Cup. The fixture schedule will be gruelling and as many good players with quality will be required as possible for squad depth. Furthermore his versatility will allow Arteta to play him in multiple positions.
👍 GFL.
I think this is one where we will have to wait and see. Since Arteta took over, he has employed different tactics and the tactics have generally evolved season after season. Last year at a time like this,I doubt any Arsenal fan knew Arteta would be using the inverted LB tactic. Many were expecting him to revert to the 3-4-3 he used earlier. We were all caught by surprise.
If the trend is to continue,I expect Arteta to once again tweak his set-up particularly because there will be new players who will offer more tactical flexibility. As to how ESR will fit into Arteta’s tactics,your guess is as good as mine. That said,I think the pre season games will give us a glimpse of what to expect.
The same question can be applied to numerous other Arsenal players, including Timber and Havertz.There is little point in speculating as much will depend on which players are leaving .Of particular relevance to me are the plans for Partey and Tierney ,two quality players we cannot afford to lose in my opinion.
👍 Grandad
I couldn’t see where should he be occupying in the team atm. He will only be a squad player or use as an impact sub at best unless injuries to the starting 11. Arteta rarely rotates his squad. Sadly though, I think he should leave to fulfill his potential elsewhere. I don’t think arteta values him much compared to saka, martinelli, ode, havertz, or jesus. The 1st team;
Ramsdel
White/timber saliba magalhaes zinchenko
Partey/rice(hopefully the deal collapse)
Odegard havertz
Martinelli jesus saka
MBB, if Arteta doesn’t rotate this season with Arsenal playing in 2 domestic cups, as well as the EPL and Europe, it would be a recipe for disaster.
cant see ESR starting games and him being used as an impact sub. Hopefully with 60 games he gets 15 starts and bags 6/7 with a few assists….
We will need players like him , Eddie , Reiss, Trossard to all chip in.
I am not convinced on GJ and Havertz getting 30 between them, and with flo on the way, we wont have too many goals from our strikers.
If MO, BS and GM getes 10 each like last season, and GJ and Eddie pitch in with 20, we are looking at around 50 plus 10 odd from the rest, and that wont win us a championship.
He will fit in between Viera and Nketiah on the bench.
Haha top chirp