Arsenal star provides exit stance and reveals new position ahead of new season

Emile Smith Rowe has confirmed that he won’t be going anywhere this summer, and revealed the position he expects to play next season ahead of the England U21 European Championships kicking off on Wednesday.

2021-22s top goalscorer for the club, last season was a disrupted one for Smith Rowe. He failed to start a Premier League game, and required surgery after picking up an injury in the warmdown at Old Trafford following their 3-1 defeat in September.

He was a late substitute for the final game of the season, picking up his second assist of the campaign as Arsenal thrashed Wolves 5-0, but his sparing usage by Mikel Arteta led plenty to fear that his time in north London may be up, with Fabio Vieira often turned to from the substitutes bench ahead of the Englishman.

London, UK. 01st Mar, 2023. 01 Mar 2023 – Arsenal v Everton – Premier League – Emirates Stadium Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe during the Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture Credit: Mark Pain/Alamy Live News 2P8HDWW London, UK. 01st Mar, 2023. 01 Mar 2023 – Arsenal v Everton – Premier League – Emirates Stadium Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe during the Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium, London. Picture Credit: Mark Pain/Alamy Live News (Alamy Stock Photo)

According to the Athletic Smith Rowe ‘remains an important part of Mikel Arteta’s plans’ for the future, which means that they will resist any attempts from other clubs around the Premier League who may sense a bargain, with Aston Villa having previously made three bids for the youngster and now managed by the man who gave him his Arsenal debut in the form of Unai Emery.

Speaking to the Times, Smith Rowe himself ruled out an exit too, explaining that he won’t leave for as long as he may have a future at his boyhood club.

“Arsenal are my club and I’m not going to give up until [Arteta] says he doesn’t want me,” he explained. “But that’s not the case. He wants me as part of the team and I want to fight for my place and get back in the team.”

“The left pocket,” he told the media when asked for his best position. “I like being inside the pitch. I don’t see myself as a one-on-one direct player but I like to create chances and dribble, so left wing, but inside with a full back as the winger or a left No 8. I’m still trying to learn the defensive side of that.’

Having been left out of the side for much of last season even when fit, Xhaka’s departure could give him a chance to force his way back into Arteta’s first XI, and make himself a key cog in Arsenal’s machine once more.