Last season in particular, Emile Smith-Rowe’s versatility shone through, as he adapted to an unfamiliar role as a left-winger for Arsenal in fine fashion.
So much so that the England international registered an impressive 10 goals in the Premier League.
However, it was telling that Mikel Arteta excluded the Hale End graduate out of the starting XI in a majority of the Gunners’ games during the business end of the season, as the youngster was benched in six out of the last 10 matches.
With Gabriel Martinelli profiling as an out-and-out winger, it was only natural that he would be favoured instead of Emile Smith-Rowe, who was playing out of position in the first place.
While the silky technician has largely been kept out of action due to injury this term, much of the same would be expected once again, as Martinelli is arguably the best left-winger in the Premier League currently.
In terms of getting regular minutes as well as assessing his natural profile, the 22-year old’s Arsenal career would hit unseen heights if he operated in central midfield.
For starters, Smith-Rowe is the archetypal No.10 in the modern game and is perhaps the protagonist of a midfielder the North Londoners demand to complement the more understated Martin Odegaard.
The Englishman has a sense of verticality in his game, as he can gallop past a number of defenders due to his brilliant ball-carrying abilities.
While Odegaard fits the bill of a controller in the middle of the park, Smith-Rowe thrives the most in the final third, especially in transitional situations, in a similar vein to Kevin De Bruyne.
Ultimately, the Norwegian skipper, that tends to quietly go about his business requires a potential output machine such as Emile Smith-Rowe to partner him, much like how the understated David Silva’s ideal partner was the more direct De Bruyne during the ‘Centurions’ season.
As witnessed last season as well, a chunk of the Croydon-born talent’s goals also arrived inside the box, which typifies how his output would reach staggering numbers once he permanently makes the shift to central midfield.
In addition, the FA Cup winner also shone in the left half-spaces immeasurably more in comparison to in wide areas, which makes him tailor-made to be deployed as an interior in the future.
By putting things more into context with an example, Emile Smith-Rowe’s finest moments as a winger are evident in more central spaces, much like Phil Foden.
As witnessed during a scene during Amazon Prime’s ‘All or Nothing: Arsenal’ documentary, a tactics board in Edu Gaspar’s office showcased the academy graduate positioned as a right-sided midfielder, as previously relayed by Football London.
Some may suggest that the only obstacle remains that the Gunners may be slightly defensively exposed with both Odegaard and Smith-Rowe in the side’s midfield.
However, Granit Xhaka’s advanced role this term suggests that much like Pep Guardiola did so with David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, Mikel Arteta is warming up to the idea of setting up with two free 8’s.
With Thomas Partey operating as the anchor of the side, much like Fernandinho did during the start of the Guardiola era, Arteta could well consider unleashing Smith-Rowe once he returns from injury.
For the club and especially for the player, a return to midfield and bidding farewell to the wing would be incredibly beneficial.
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