Arsenal fans implore Mikel Arteta to start Emile Smith Rowe against Southampton

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A number of Arsenal fans have taken to Twitter to implore Mikel Arteta to hand Emile Smith Rowe his first Premier League start of the season on Wednesday.

The Gunners face Southampton looking to end a run of four home defeats in a row. And Arteta is coming under increasing pressure from disgruntled supporters.

His team selection is going to be incredibly intriguing. Arteta will have to make changes from the loss to Burnley. Both Hector Bellerin and Granit Xhaka are suspended.

Should he stick by the other first-team players who have underperformed this season, it is surely imperative that the Gunners get a positive result against a high-flying Saints side.

However, he will surely make a start on restoring some of the positivity that has been lost in recent weeks if he turns to a number of young players who have impressed in the Europa League this term.

And one of those who has surely staked a claim for a chance is Smith Rowe. The 20-year-old has one goal and two assists in three European appearances this term. He averages one direct involvement in a goal every 30 minutes so far.

Of course, it would be naive to expect the youngster to easily transfer that form to the Premier League. But his impressive contributions on Thursdays may mean that he is high on confidence.

Alexandre Lacazette has not made a significant impact as a number 10. And some have insisted that Smith Rowe deserves an opportunity.

He has not made a Premier League appearance since December 2019. And he has not appeared in the top flight since Arteta took charge. But some would clearly like that run to end on Wednesday.

Here is what some of the fans were saying about Smith Rowe ahead of the clash with Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side…