‘He will have his chances’… Mikel Arteta really does not want to sell 23-year-old Arsenal player in January

Add as preferred source on Google

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has sent a message to Emile Smith Rowe about his future.

Arteta has made it clear whether or not he wants Smith Rowe to stay at Arsenal beyond the January transfer window.

So, what has Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said about Emile Smith Rowe? Let’s take a look.

Mikel Arteta wants Emile Smith Rowe to stay at Arsenal

Well, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been speaking about Emile Smith Rowe, and he has made it clear that he wants the 23-year-old to stay at the Emirates Stadium.

While Arteta has suggested that he would not stand in the way of the attacking midfielder if he wanted to leave in the January transfer window, he has stated that the England international would get chances.

Smith Rowe has made one start and five substitute appearances in the Premier League for Arsenal this season. He has given one assist in those games.

The youngster, who can also play as a winger, has made three substitute appearances in the UEFA Champions League and has played once in the Carabao Cup for the Gunners this campaign.

Newcastle United have been linked with Smith Rowe, who has had injury problems this season.

When asked if Smith Rowe was close to leaving in the summer of 2023, Arteta said, as quoted on Arsenal’s official website: “That was never part of our plans.”

When asked if he would stand in Smith Rowe’s way if he asked to leave, Arteta said: “This is a two-way conversation all the time with players. 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.”

My View: Emile Smith Rowe will have to leave Arsenal… eventually

In my opinion, Emile Smith Rowe will have to leave Arsenal at some point in the near future. Now, it may not be January when the playmaker departs, but I would be surprised if he does not go to a new club in the summer of 2024.

Smith Rowe has had injury problems at Arsenal in recent times, but when he has been fit and available, he has not started matches. Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are the two wide players, while Martin Odegaard is the playmaker.

I find it really hard to see how Smith Rowe could carve out a place for himself in the Arsenal starting lineup anytime soon.