Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told The Athletic that he could play attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe as a striker.
Smith Rowe is a playmaker who can also operate out wide, and Arsenal boss Arteta has suggested that the England international could play as a number nine for his team.
Gabriel Jesus is the number one striker at Arsenal, but the Brazil international is injured at the moment.
Former Leeds United loanee Eddie Nketiah has been playing as the number 9 for Arsenal in recent matches.
Smith Rowe has not played for Arsenal since September 4 due to a groin strain.
Arteta has said that the youngster is available for Arsenal’s FA Cup tie against Oxford United on Monday.
Mikel Arteta on Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe
The Arsenal boss said about Smith Rowe: “Emile can play as an attacking midfielder, as a winger and even as a nine; I think he’s played there before.
“First of all we need him fit and at his best. When we have that we have an incredible player that we have missed a lot in the last few months. If he trains tomorrow, hopefully he will be available to give us something in the game.”
Encouraging
Arsenal are doing extremely well at the moment and are leading the Premier League table.
The Gunners are not really missing Smith Rowe much.
However, a player of the England international’s quality is only going to enhance the Gunners’ chances of winning the title this season.
It is interesting that Arteta has noted that Smith Rowe can play as a number 9.
Maybe, just maybe, that is that position that the playmaker could operate in during the period Jesus is not in action.
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