Arteta claims Emile Smith Rowe will soon play ‘a lot of minutes’ for Arsenal – despite Trossard deal

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Emile Smith Rowe will still play an important role for Arsenal moving forward despite the arrival of new signing Leandro Trossard.

That’s the view of Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, who has been speaking ahead of today’s game against Manchester United.

There have been concerns that Smith Rowe may now fall down the Arsenal pecking order with the Gunners managing to snap up Trossard.

The Belgian winger has made the move over from Brighton and Hove Albion as Arsenal moved on from missing out on Mykhailo Mudryk.

Arteta now has another attacking option at his disposal but has moved to reassure Smith Rowe of his future in the Arsenal setup.

Arteta has told The Mirror that Smith Rowe will ‘play a lot of minutes’ as long as he is fit and available moving forward.

“The message to Emile I send him every single day: he needs to be fit and available, and if he is those things then a player of his quality, like this, he will play a lot of minutes,” said Arteta.

Where can Emile Smith Rowe play for Arsenal?

Most of Smith Rowe’s appearances in the Arsenal first team have come as a left-sided winger.

Smith Rowe has been able to cut in on his right foot and cause chaos in that role, but there is real competition there.

Gabriel Martinelli continues to shine and Trossard now brings added competition down the left flank.

Trossard could realistically play on the right if needed but it’s hard to see Smith Rowe moving out to that side.

Maybe Smith Rowe’s primary role moving forward at Arsenal will be as a midfielder, playing in advanced role like Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard.

Smith Rowe and Fabio Vieira as cover and competition for those two players would give Arsenal great depth and quality going forward.

Injuries have been a frustration for Smith Rowe this season, limiting him to just five Premier League appearances.

Having come off the bench against Tottenham last week, Smith Rowe will now hope for more action soon.

Smith Rowe’s versatility means he can cover a number of positions but faces a battle to nail down a starting role – even with Arteta’s public backing.