The return of Emile Smith Rowe on Monday night time was a really welcome sight. As we search better attacking depth, having final season’s second highest goalscorer again within the squad is clearly a comparatively easy manner of doing that. We don’t need to take care of promoting golf equipment who need the world for his or her participant. There aren’t any agent shenanigans. No settling in. No work permits.
Mikel Arteta clearly sees Smith Rowe as somebody who can play throughout the entrance line, in each extensive positions and as a 9. That’s an experiment we’ve seen a few times, I don’t know that it’s ever gone significantly effectively, however then maybe the timing of it and the line-ups we tried it in didn’t actually give it a lot likelihood of success.
I used to be speaking about this a bit final night time on The Gooners Podcast, and when Mike talked about the Villarreal semi-final and the beginning line-up, I needed to go look it up. I don’t know if it’s one thing I’ve simply blocked out of my thoughts, like a sort of trauma, however I used to be genuinely shocked. Right here’s how we lined up for the primary leg of a European semi-final:
Leno, Chambers, Holding, Mari, Xhaka, Partey, Ceballos, Odegaard, Saka, Pepe, Smith Rowe.
Blimey.
I imply, we’ve come an extended, great distance since then. The supervisor appears comparatively satisfied about Smith Rowe as a 9, I think extra as a contingency than an precise different to Eddie or Gabriel Jesus (when match), however I’d posit his possibilities of taking part in effectively there could be far better nowadays than they have been for that recreation. Largely although, I see him as cowl for the extensive positions, significantly the left, and I additionally assume his skillset lends itself to doubtlessly taking part in the Granit Xhaka position on this workforce. I do fear a bit about Albert Sambi Lokonga and his capacity to contribute at Premier League stage, and whereas he hasn’t performed there usually and would possibly have to be taught the position, I feel Smith Rowe has all of the attributes to flourish in that place.
The important thing factor, after all, is health, and after the Oxford recreation, Smith Rowe revealed that the surgical procedure he had in September was to repair an ongoing concern he’s had since he was a young person. You’ll keep in mind he went on mortgage to Disgustingly Candy Power Drink Leipzig again in 2019, however didn’t even get half-hour of taking part in time below his belt as a consequence of damage.
He says:
“Lots of people won’t know, however I’ve had this damage since I used to be 18/19. It has been fairly arduous to take care of it through the years. However I’m actually completely happy that it’s simply lastly over. I had a profitable surgical procedure and I’m actually feeling actually good.”
So, in essence, he’s saying he performed by way of an damage for on a regular basis. I’m certain there have been occasions it wasn’t that a lot of a trouble, however there should have been intervals when it was genuinely problematic. He has damaged by way of, grow to be an essential participant, bought the quantity 10 shirt at Arsenal, and been one among our main scorers with out ever being 100% match. Which is outstanding actually. I do know all gamers take care of aches and strains and niggles, and the concept of being 100% all the time is principally a fantasy, however nonetheless.
He has spoken earlier than about life-style and consuming habits, however I do surprise if being absent for such an extended time frame might need actually opened his eyes to the chance he has at this membership. The workforce has been sensible with out him, and that should harm. Each participant desires to play and be concerned, however it is a completely different situation from when he was thrust into motion in December 2020. Again then, he was virtually like a final throw of the cube for a supervisor whose workforce was under-performing to an unacceptable stage.
This time round he has to power his manner again right into a cohesive unit that has performed in addition to any Arsenal workforce lately. It’s going to imply working tougher, being extra diligent, and being completely prepared for the minutes he will get. He regarded a bit rusty on the ball on Monday night time, however that’s solely to be anticipated. Nevertheless, he regarded leaner and stronger, and he moved across the pitch very well. That’s signal, and fingers crossed he can construct up some minutes over the subsequent few weeks, and by the point February comes alongside and the Europa League kicks in, we’ve bought a participant who can present cowl however who can be pushing to start out.
The expertise is apparent, however expertise isn’t sufficient. Careers rise and fall on health. We’ve seen it previously at this membership the place somebody who can’t keep match, who you possibly can’t depend upon to be accessible, finally falls by the wayside. Let’s hope this surgical procedure has been a whole success and Smith Rowe will help as we compete throughout three fronts (for now).
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