Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly increasingly frustrated with his lack of first-team action. The midfielder has started just one Premier League game since May 2022 and could leave in an upcoming transfer window.
Smith Rowe didn’t start a single game in any competition last season. He missed much of the first half of the season through injury and was then unable to catch the eye of Mikel Arteta.
He was a surprise starter in Saturday’s 5-0 win over Nottingham Forest but was taken off in the 73rd minute. It has since emerged he has picked up a knee injury which forced him out of Wednesday’s Carabao Cup tie against West Ham.
The 23-year-old would likely have started at the London Stadium if fit. But despite his forced absence, it appears he is not satisfied with how much he has played of late.
90min, via the Fully Loaded Transfer Show, claims Smith Rowe is getting itchy feet at the Emirates and looks set to leave. Aston Villa were interested in signing him in the past, while Newcastle are also admirers.
The report claims Newcastle will look to sign Smith Rowe next summer. Villa are also said to still be interested in the England international.
It has been some fall from grace for Smith Rowe in the last two years. He burst into the Arsenal side in the 2020/21 season and became a key player for Arteta.
He earned his first caps for England, scoring on his debut in a 10-0 win over San Marino. Arteta claimed Smith Rowe could become one of the best players in Europe if he continued on the trajectory he was showing.
Arteta said: “He’s having an incredible season ever since he started to play in December. But he’s scoring his first Premier League goal.
“An incredible season for a No 10 of Arsenal means he needs to score 15 goals and give 10 assists. Then you are right up there with the top guys in Europe and in the league.
“He’s got the ability to do it but he hasn’t done it. We need to stay calm with him, give him the right support and step by step, I think he will be getting there.”
That player Arteta thought Smith Rowe could become appears to be a long way off. Perhaps a move away from his boyhood club would enable him to fulfil his undoubted potential.
