Paul Merson has told Sky Sports that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta needs to be picking Emile Smith Rowe every week until the end of the season.
Arsenal have lost their last two games to Wolves and Aston Villa, which has dented their hopes of climbing back into the top six.
And Merson now feels that the Gunners should effectively write this season off.
The former Arsenal midfielder claims that Arteta needs to use the rest of the campaign as preparation for next term.
And he feels that Arteta should now play Smith Rowe in every game, to decide whether he is good enough to be Arsenal’s main playmaker next season.
“I don’t like the word but Arsenal are in transition,” Merson said. “I don’t like it because if it doesn’t go well, then what? I thought when Mikel Arteta first came in, he did well to get the people he didn’t want out of the club. People who were on big wages and who weren’t playing, but now he has got to be planning for next season.
“He shouldn’t be worrying if Arsenal finish 14th. He should be looking to get as many games out of Emile Smith Rowe to decide if he’s going to be playing next season.
“Nicolas Pepe is right to be getting the games now as he looks a better player than when he arrived. It’s about seeing who’s going to be right for next season.”
Arteta has shown great faith in Smith Rowe over recent weeks, but if the youngster does stay in the team that could be bad news for Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal only signed Odegaard to bolster their creative options in January, and he is now surely pushing hard to take Smith Rowe’s place.
Arsenal are next in action against Leeds United on Sunday, and it will be interesting to see how Arteta lines his side up.
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