Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has praised Emile Smith Rowe and Jakub Kiwior after their performance for the Under-21’s on Monday night.
After the Arsenal first team beat Leicester City on Saturday, the attention turned to the Under-21’s.
Arsenal’s Under-21’s took on Chelsea on Monday night and fell to a 1-0 defeat as Leo Castledine scored the only goal.
This result won’t exactly spark a panic at Arsenal and there were a couple of real positives too.
Defender Jakub Kiwior and playmaker Emile Smith Rowe both started the game as they look for minutes.
Kiwior has yet to play in the Premier League since his January move from Spezia whilst Smith Rowe has endured frustrating injury problems.
Both players were substituted at half time as they just got 45 minutes in the tank.
Mikel Arteta pleased with Kiwior and Smith Rowe after Arsenal Under-21 displays
This appearance – if only for half a game – was vital for both players as they attempt to force their way into the Arsneal team.
That won’t be easy; Kiwior is watching another left-sided centre back thrive in the Arsenal lineup in Gabriel Magalhaes.
Smith Rowe is a huge talent but hasn’t even started a Premier League game this season.
The Hale End talent needs to be playing to get back to his best and Under-21 minutes will help.
Both could end up being huge for Arsenal in their push for the Premier League title.
Arsenal boss Arteta has now commented on both players ahead of facing Everton on Wednesday night.
Arteta has told Football London that he thinks both Kiwior and Smith Rowe were ‘really good’ against Chelsea.
The Spaniard believes Arsenal will need both players in the new few games, seemingly hinting at appearances coming soon.
“Really good,” said Arteta. “Obviously, they needed some minutes and at the moment they haven’t had much exposure for different situations. It was great to see them on the field because we’re going to need them in the next couple of games,” he added.
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