Emile Smith Rowe makes Arsenal contract claim ahead of Villa clash

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Arsenal come head to head with Aston Villa this evening as they look to build on their late, late leveller against Crystal Palace last time out.

It’s back to The Emirates for the Gunners once again. Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a big three points, and could make some changes to his starting XI as well to ensure the victory.

However, one man who will almost certainly be starting is Emile Smith Rowe. The midfielder is facing up to the prospect of coming up against Villa, a team who apparently wanted him in the summer. Of course, since then, Smith Rowe has signed a long-term deal with Arsenal, putting to bed speculation over his future.

And speaking to The Evening Standard, Smith Rowe admits that the thought of signing for Villa never even entered his head.

“For me it was easy [to sign a new contract with Arsenal]. Obviously it didn’t look like that from the outside, it looked quite difficult,” Smith Rowe commented.

“For me, playing for Arsenal, growing up an Arsenal fan and my family around me, it was easy. Growing up in London, I didn’t want to move out of London. It was probably one of the easiest decisions I’ve made.”

TBR’s View: Smith Rowe and Arsenal together for the long haul

Along with Bukayo Saka, you’d have to assume that Arsenal will be building their team around Smith Rowe in the future. That’s why they gave him such a long deal, and that’s why he didn’t want to move on.

In fairness to him as well, why would he? Villa are obviously a good club but it would be a sidewards move at best at the moment. In the long-term, he surely stands more chance of having success with the Gunners.

Smith Rowe has begun the season well. A good display tonight and showing Villa fans what they might have had, would be just the ticket for Mikel Arteta.