Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has told Football.London that Emile Smith Rowe is getting cramps a lot this season.
Smith Rowe is having a breakthrough season at Arsenal and has established himself as an important player in the team.
The attacking midfielder has made 15 starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League this season, scoring one goal and providing four assists in the process.
The 20-year-old also made eight starts and three substitute appearances in the Europa League for the Gunners this campaign, scoring one goal and providing three assists in the process.
Smith Rowe scored against West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League game at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening, but he had to be substituted with a hamstring injury in the second half.
Arteta told Football.London about Smith Rowe: “I don’t know, but he felt something in his hamstring so he had to come off.
“Sometimes he cramps and he’s been cramping for a while. He’s still adapting to the league and the demands of playing every three days. Hopefully it’s nothing major.”
It must be concerning that Smith Rowe is having cramps a lot.
True, the youngster is playing a lot of football, but so is his Arsenal teammate Bukayo Saka, who is actually a year younger than him.
Arsenal do need to look into this and make sure that they manage Smith Rowe’s fitness and protect him.
Perhaps in the coming months, Smith Rowe will get used to playing week in and week out.
Arteta has also urged the youngster to score more goals. Smith-Rowe’s goal against West Brom on Sunday evening was his first in the Premier League.
The Spaniard said, as quoted on BBC Sport: “He is developing the right way but his first Premier League goal. His level is to do that and score 15 goals. He is making the right steps.”
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