Mikel Arteta says Arsenal star ‘needs to feel love’ but has ‘capacity’ to shine

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Mikel Arteta has told Wednesday morning’s press conference – as per Football London – that Arsenal ace Emile Smith-Rowe needs to “feel love” in order to shine. The England ace is certainly doing that, at the moment.

Breaking into the Arsenal side on a regular basis under Arteta last term, Smith-Rowe has shifted up the gears this season. In 25 league and cup appearances, he has netted an impressive 10 goals – laying on two assists.

That is, despite only starting 18 of those 25 – and completing 90 minutes on just eight occasions. His form has even earned him England recognition, earning two caps under Gareth Southgate and scoring against San Marino.

Smith-Rowe is Arsenal’s top scorer and he found the back of the net on Saturday, during a 2-1 win over Brentford. Arteta paid tribute to him, saying Smith-Rowe needs the right environment to shine – and currently has that.

“His numbers should be looking something like this – it’s not a coincidence. He’s working every day because he knows he has the capacity to do this,” Arteta said. “I think it’s a combination of everything [reasons for form].

“He needs to feel that confidence and trust around the coaching staff, he needs his teammates, he needs to feel love, he needs the right environment around him with his family, girlfriend or whatever.”

Arteta on Smith-Rowe: Whatever Arsenal boss is doing, it is working

Many questioned the decision to leave Smith-Rowe out of the starting line-up for five consecutive games between the start of December and into January. But Smith-Rowe has delivered whenever, as a sub, or starting.

Three consecutive goals against West Ham, Leeds and Norwich saw him do so from the bench – labelled a super sub. Playing against a side that might be tired, and a bit more open, suits his creativity and end product.

But he is just as important from the start, producing the magic moment to break the deadlock as he did against Brentford on Saturday. He has started just two of Arsenal’s last eight Premier League games, but it is working.