For the better part of the weekend, an intriguing story about Arsenal’s planned summer exits has been trending. Xhaka, Tierney, and Balogun are among the top players expected to leave this summer.
Notably, Emile Smith-Rowe, who many Arsenal fans feared would leave in the summer, was not included among the potential exits.
This season, the Arsenal No. 10 has struggled for game time. He has gone from being a player Arteta could rely on to a squad player after failing to find his mojo on the pitch. There are numerous reasons for his change in fortune, but I feel the long-term injury he dealt with in the first half of this season is the biggest reason he has struggled to find his mojo.
His lack of playing time, according to TalkSport, has suggested that Unai Emery could try to get him in his new Villa project, which is going very well at the moment.
Every Gooner has an opinion on whether releasing him is a good idea; however, it appears Arteta does not want to lose him. The Spaniard wants the Hale End graduate to stay, as he hinted a few weeks ago he still has him in his plans, but he still needs to fight his way back into the first team squad.
Arteta said: “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.
“And then it’s about how he’s coping with the team in general and whether we have to take him off or to use him in the last few minutes of the game.”
The Hale End graduate demonstrated his class during the 2021–22 season; he had 10 league goals in 33 games. They say that class is permanent, while form is temporary. Emile Smith-Rowe will hopefully recover his form over the summer and pre-season before next season.
His versatility as a winger and midfielder could benefit Arteta’s project for the 2023–24 season, but will the youngster feel he needs to move away to get more regular playing time?
Darren N
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I see this kid in the mould of a Bellingham and for that I would like him remain under the ownership of Arsenal football club.
A temporary change in environment could do him wonders while he puts his injuries behind, it’s the second time the Villains has shown interest in the kid, a loan deal could be good for all parties involved.
Lol if Arteta said that then it is a joke because he can’t be worse than Viera. I mean really, that just cracks me up.
I hope there are changes this weekend.
Was thinking the same thing!
So ESR has to fight and show productivity, but Vieira can stink up the pitch and get chances?
Better yet Jesus walks into the team, team play dips, yet a very productive Trossard gets benched.
Unfortunate how expectations apply to some, but others held to different standards.
Right on the money, Durand, nailed it. I think ESR is the future of our club, just can’t say the same about GJesus.
Agree, but I don’t think there’s some dastardly plot going on to keep guys like ESR out. It seems that MA can’t see Jesus hasn’t got 90 in him and Vieira couldn’t stop a bunch of candy floss. Thought Trossard had an excellent game against Chelsea and if anyone should have been substituted , it was Jesus.
Funny how he indicates ESR needs to fight his way back. But Jesus doesn’t
How Vieira plays over ESR is beyond me!
GB, I’m with you. It should be remembered that ESR received plenty of playing time from Emery. He obviously saw plenty in ESR, particularly given his fitst team selection of ESR at such a young age.
He can fight for his place in the starting X1. Everybody loves him at AFC.. Sell Viera instead!!
He wont stay and sit on the bench.
Personally I think ESR is at least on a par with Martinelli and Saka and has the edge in terms of versatility and football intelligence.Unfortunately injuries have blighted his career at a time when he could have been a real game changer in our quest for the League Title.He and Trossard have been used too sparingly by Arteta for my liking ,when clearly our first choice wingers are showing real signs of fatigue.To me ESR and Odegaard should compete for the number ten spot although they are different in many ways.Odegaard possesses great ball skills and vision, whilst ESR is a great pass and run merchant who creates spaces and is very difficult to mark.I sincerely hope ESR is not moved on as his best has yet to come, and it should come to fruition soon in a red shirt.
To be very frank with you, I’d let ESR go if an offer of 35-40m is received. We’d invest that money into more defensive-minded players. The manner we’ve leaked goals in recent games has been alarming. All the good work of this season would be undone if we go into next season with that defensive midfield.
To me, Trossard, or even Saka would be a better option for Odegaard in the No.10 position than ESR.