Charles Watts, the Arsenal correspondent for Goal, has been discussing the future of Emile Smith Rowe during a recent YouTube video.
The 20-year-old spent a period of last season on loan with Huddersfield Town for whom he appeared 19 times, scoring two goals and providing his teammates with three assists (as per Transfermarkt).
The attacking midfielder has come up through the ranks at Arsenal and despite being tipped to go on and become a first-team regular for the north London giants, it could be argued that injuries have disrupted his progress with the young talent currently sidelined.
When discussing the chances of Smith Rowe going out on loan again before the domestic window closes, here is what the journalist had to say:
“Last I heard, Mikel Arteta wanted to keep Smith Rowe around for the first half of this season to work with him because he’s a player that really excites him, that interests him.
“But I do wonder if the injury to Smith Rowe might have put him back a little bit in that regard, and Arsenal might wonder if it would be better to send him out on loan, certainly for the first half of the season, just to get his fitness up and get his game time up because he’s missed so much already.
“We’ll have to wait and see on Emile Smith Rowe.”
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TIF Thoughts on Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal stance on Smith Rowe…
It’s clear from Watts’ comments that he feels the player’s fitness issues may impact what Mikel Arteta and the club decide with regards to another potential loan move to the Championship.
Smith Rowe’s average performance rating in the second tier last season was a solid 6.70/10 according to WhoScored, which makes it seem likely another Championship club may want him if he was available.
The player’s strengths include his ability to play key passes and dribble (as per WhoScored), two attributes it could certainly be argued are key for a player in his position.
Although there is nothing concrete at the moment to suggest that he is on his way out on loan again, the Arsenal correspondent hasn’t ruled out an exit for Smith Rowe before the domestic transfer window closes.