Emile Smith Rowe looked truly devastated after Arsenal’s Europa League exit last night.
Arsenal were dumped out at the semi-final stage of the competition following a 0-0 draw with Unai Emery’s Villarreal at the Emirates Stadium.
And Smith Rowe, who rose through the Gunners’ academy, cut a very disappointed figure on the field at full times, lying on the turf in sadness.
And Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has claimed that the 20-year-old might feel partially responsible for the team’s inability to score a goal.
Smith Rowe missed one of Arsenal’s best chances in the game when, under pressure from the visitors’ goalkeeper following a scramble, dinked narrowly wide.
It was certainly an opportunity for the North Londoners to score the one goal they needed to go through.
And heartbreakingly, Arteta claims Smith Rowe may feel like he deserves blame for the exit.
He told Arsenal’s official website: “He really tried. He had a big chance to score and I think he was feeling responsible, which is a good reaction from him but we have to bear in mind that those players have never played a game like that, it was their first experience and they have to go through that – and they will learn.”
Is it Smith Rowe’s fault? Categorically not.
His emergence is probably the only good thing to come out of Arsenal’s season, with Arteta’s side ninth in the Premier League table and almost guaranteed to have no European football next term.
When fans look back on this campaign, Smith Rowe’s emergence from youth player to first-team regular will be one of the highlights.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
