Smith Rowe's Arsenal transfer promise after explaining Arteta training demand

10 January 2024 , 08:15

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Emile Smith Rowe is struggling to break into the Arsenal starting line-up nowadays

Emile Smith Rowe has shed light on what life under Mikel Arteta is like at Arsenal after revealing what the Spaniard demands in training.

The England international has found first-team minutes hard to come by in recent months, with Smith Rowe failing to build on the momentum of the 2021/22 campaign due to a series of injury issues as well as falling down the midfield pecking order.

The Gunners midfield also contains the likes of captain Martin Odegaard, £65million summer signing Kai Havertz and even ex-Porto star Fabio Vieira, who has underwhelmed since arrival from the Portuguese giants. However, that hasn't stopped Smith Rowe from heaping praise on the atmosphere that Arteta has helped create at Arsenal's London Colney training complex.

“Training is really intense actually," the 23-year-old explained to Arsenal's media. "I think it’s got to be like that to keep pushing every day and to keep improving, and the manager demands that.

"It’s nice to be high up in the league, but in training, you are not thinking about that – you just want to get better every day and keep improving. I love that side of it. Everybody has to prove that they can play here, so it means every session you have to be at your best. It’s a great environment to be in."

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Smith Rowe's comments come just days after Arteta was faced with questions regarding the Gunners academy graduate's future at the club. This season has seen the midfielder start just once in six league appearances, sparking speculation over a potential Emirates exit.

It was a similar situation last season, which in turn led to interest in Smith Rowe from Arsenal's London rivals Chelsea. Now, Newcastle are also believed to be keeping tabs on the attacking midfielder, but the Gunners boss has issued an emphatic response over whether the talent was ever up for sale.

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Emile Smith Rowe has struggled with injuries at Arsenal and has been the subject of transfer rumours (David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

"That was never part of our plans," Arteta explained. He was similarly firm in his stance when pressed on whether he'd ever stand in the way of Smith Rowe, should he request to leave the club.

"This is a two-way conversation all the time with players," he added. "I love listening to them about how they are feeling, what is the best thing for them, or what they want to do.

"Because you really have to be aligned with them and how they are feeling and they have to feel important. This is still the biggest part of the season to play now and we have to be patient, and he will have his chances."

Josh O'Brien