‘He looks lean’: Arsenal told 23-year-old has transformed & ‘determined’ to break into XI

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Charles Watts says he has been told that Emile Smith Rowe has returned to pre-season for Arsenal ‘determined’ to break into Mikel Arteta’s XI.

The Arsenal expert added that Emile Smith Rowe, who won the European Championships with England U21’s this summer, returned early and he looks ‘lean’, as he told Arsenal insider.

The past 12 months was one to forget for the 23-year-old, with injury hitting the first half of the campaign, and then sitting on the bench during the second half.

But now he has got some much-needed minutes under his belt for England, as well as getting his engine going for Arsenal in pre-season, then he is hitting the right notes at the right time.

As Arteta’s side return to the Champions League ahead of the forthcoming campaign, the club’s squad needs to be as strong as ever.

Well, if the back-up players have the mindset of Smith Rowe, then that squad is going to be super, super strong.

“Emile Smith Rowe as well (a winner of Arsenal’s pre-season tour),” said Watts. “He only played in a couple of the games.

“But he went over there. He wanted to go over after only having a short-break after the England U21s won the European Championships. He went over to the USA. He joined up with the squad. Played in the last two games and he made a big, big impact. He looks really hungry.

“From what I have heard as well, he is absolutely determined to make a mark this season, Emile Smith Rowe. He is really, really hungry and determined to force his way into the team and Mikel Arteta’s plans.

“He looks lean and hungry and ready to make an impact.”

Smith Rowe still has a big future

There are a number of squad players with question marks over their heads or some fans just deeming them to be not good enough.

Rob Holding, Eddie Nketiah, Folarin Balogun, Reiss Nelson, Fabio Vieira and Kieran Tierney, to name a few.

It could be argued, Tierney, perhaps Balogun, and Smith Rowe are the players Arsenal fans will be backing to stay and come good next season.