Mikel Arteta has claimed that the ‘terrific’ Emile Smith Rowe proved against Aston Villa why Arsenal ‘want to keep him’, as he told his post-match press conference.
Arsenal recorded a quite comfortable 3-1 win over Villa on Friday night, with Smith Rowe being the star of the show and also getting himself on the scoresheet.
Ironically enough, in the summer, with Villa on the verge of losing their own expert ball-carrier in Jack Grealish, they were in desperate need of replacements.
And they seemingly knocked on Arsenal’s door for Smith Rowe’s talents, before he signed a new deal, but they were given a number of blunt answers.
Arteta praised Smith Rowe for Friday’s performance, how he has changed his ways and those bids from Villa in the summer.
“Emile was terrific,” said Arteta. “He is scoring goals. It’s something we are demanding from him because he’s capable of doing.
“That should be a habit and he should demand that in his game because he’s capable of doing it. A player that is developing and he still needs to develop more in other areas as well.
“The other night against Palace, he wasn’t 100% fit, but he wanted to step forward and he wanted to play with a difficult injury that he had. He’s not complaining. He is looking forward and really determined. He’s changed the way he is living as well. And he has been superb.
“Another example why we want to keep him. Why we are giving him an opportunity to do what he can do for our club. And we are happy for him.”
This young and vibrant Arsenal side are answering and shutting up a lot of their critics, after early season woes.
From summer signings such as Ben White and Aaron Ramsdale slotting in like a glove, to the academy stars shining that North London light very bright.
But the performances of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, who found it difficult last season, are also starting to return.
The Gabon superstar is back to his best and that experience is rubbing off on everyone else, it’s now a case of adding serious consistency to their name.
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