Arsenal youngster Emile Smith-Rowe needs first team football.
Arsenal youngster Emile Smith-Rowe was unlucky not to feature last week in the Carabao Cup game against Liverpool.
The 19-year-old is on the fringes of the first team, but is struggling to make an impression on Unai Emery.
His only action this season for the first team was 45 minutes in the cup win over Nottingham Forest.
Smith-Rowe was back to under-23 action on Friday, and helped the Gunners to a victory over Spurs.
He set up a goal in a convincing 3-1 win over their North London rivals.
That was Smith-Rowe’s first under-23 game since the end of August after being promoted to the first team.
But despite being in and around the first team squad, he has not been given a real chance.
It’s a difficult situation for a player who has three goals for the Gunners’ first team.
A loan spell at RB Leipzig earlier this year did not go well, he made only three first team appearances.
Has Smith-Rowe been unlucky, or is he not good enough yet?
HIs impact in the win over Spurs suggested he is worthy of a proper chance, although it is probably going to be unlikely under Emery.
Smith-Rowe needs regular football and another loan spell might be likely. He has the talent, but he needs to be pushed, and given a real opportunity.
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