Former Aston Villa player Gabby Agbonlahor has issued a warning to Emile Smith Rowe, suggesting that he may not be guaranteed an automatic starting position if he decides to move to Newcastle United.
Smith Rowe has faced challenges in securing regular playing time at Arsenal, leading to suggestions that he should consider leaving the Emirates. Newcastle has emerged as one of his prominent suitors, as they are in the process of assembling a team of young and promising English players.
While the prospect of joining Newcastle may be appealing to Smith Rowe, the key question is whether he will receive the desired amount of playing time at the club.
Agbonlahor does not think so. He said to Football Insider:
“He can be a good squad player for Newcastle.
“But that’s the problem. He’d be leaving Arsenal for another club where he isn’t going to start.
“Let’s not forget, Newcastle have got Willock coming back in that position. He was brilliant last season and has been completely forgotten about by everyone.
“They’ve also got Guimaraes in that area.
“If he came to Newcastle, he’d have to fight for a position. It’s not going to be guaranteed.”
Just Arsenal Opinion
Smith Rowe is one of our squad’s most talented players, and the midfielder is certainly a player we would love to keep.
However, his injuries in the last few months have set him back and he knows the team is in top shape now, so he must work hard to get back in.
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Forget about Newcastle, Aston Villa too has shown an interest and we know’s how Unai Emery love’s to break bread among kids.
But if Smith Rowe should be allowed to join Brighton in January for some strange reasons, we could be looking at a £100 million player come next summer, if you ask me.
ESR is a good player with potential but no-one is paying £100mill for him any time soon.
Admin Martin, I would be interested to see the stat’s on ESR’s “injuries in the last few months”, given ESR played a significant part in England’s age European Championship win.
As opposed to not starting for Arsenal?
In many respects I feel disappointed for ESR. He’d broken into the team and was doing very nicely but injuries did hamper his progress and someone will generally fill your shoes.
I hope he is able to get more game time, but it’s not looking likely that ESR will be a first pick. On that basis, I don’t see him being one at the reinvigorated Newcastle
He is a good boy and Arteta believes him enough to wear Ozil’s 10 shirt.
But he needs patients to get back his place. In a year time we may not see 3 players in that midfield.
It will be his time to show what we are missing from him.
But patience is key here. Else he goes elsewhere and regrets it
Smith Rowe needs game time for him to represent England in Euro 24