Arsenal journalist Charles Watts thinks that Emile Smith Rowe should keep his place in the starting XI tonight ahead of Gabriel Martinelli.
Mikel Arteta’s men are set for a critical game tonight in the Premier League, and one that could go a long way to deciding their fate when it comes to qualifying for European football.
They take on a Wolves side who are nipping at their heels in the table, but the Gunners are set for an important boost with the return of Martinelli, who is back after his suspension for being sent off in the reverse fixture.
However, after his performance against Brentford this past weekend, fellow Gunners youngster Smith Rowe could well find himself preventing Martinelli from getting straight back into the starting XI, despite being a regular before his suspension.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Watts claimed that whilst Martinelli has been playing well this season, it wouldn’t be right for him to go into the side straight away ahead of Smith Rowe, because it wouldn’t be right for him to be dropped so soon after putting in a good performance of his own.
Watts said: “Personally, I think you stick with Emile Smith Rowe now. I thought he was so good at the weekend, I don’t think you can leave him out the side, for me – and it would almost send out the wrong message.
“I think Martinelli, deservedly, when he came into the side, he scored that goal against Newcastle a fair while ago and kind of just stuck in the side ever since then; was playing well, scored at Leeds, performing really, really well, Player of the Month for December and January.
“But now Smith Rowe’s come back in and he’s scored and he’s playing well. And I think this is what you need when it comes to competition in the squad. I kind of think it sends out a little bit of the wrong message if someone comes in, makes his mark and then immediately gets taken out the side again.”
TIF Thoughts on Charles Watts’ comments about Emile Smith Rowe and Gabriel Martinelli…
Do you think Martinelli is Arsenal's best player?
Yes
No
It certainly is a conundrum for Arteta when it comes to the two men, because they are both incredibly similar. Their numbers in the Premier League this year (via WhoScored) show that there isn’t really a lot to choose between them, with both players bringing their own strengths.
At least it’s a good dilemma to have, as in a way you can’t lose whichever player you pick and you have a strong option to take off the bench, but as Watts hints at, it might not be best for Smith Rowe to be dropped straight away.
If he keeps playing the way he has recently, then it would be harsh to drop him so soon, but at least it gives Martinelli something to work towards to try and take his place back.
In other news: ‘I understand that’ – Charles Watts drops interesting Arsenal update after 2022 Kroenke talks