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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has confirmed that the club are planning to hold contract talks with their rising star Emile Smith Rowe.

Smith Rowe, 20, has established himself as a first-team regular this season, and has been one of the side’s most consistent performers throughout the entire campaign.

The England Under-21 international made his senior and Arsenal debut back in September 2018, when Villarreal boss Unai Emery was manager at the Emirates Stadium.

However, he ended up going on loan spells with both RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town in the coming years to aid his development.

Smith Rowe is now in a position where 28 of his 40 senior Arsenal appearances have come this season, and he’s cemented his spot firmly in the current manager’s plans.

Arteta has revealed that the London-born attacking midfielder is going to hold contract talks in the future, with his current deal due to expire in 2023.

“We are going to have that discussion,” Arteta confirmed to Sky Sports when discussing the possibility of a new contract for Smith Rowe.

“I think Emile has earned the right to look at that situation because of the performances that he has produced. He’s very much engaged and wants to continue with us, that’s for sure.”

TBR’s View:

Smith Rowe is proving to be another excellent academy graduate that Arsenal have produced.

Aged 20, the creative playmaker is already playing with such maturity on the pitch, and is one of the individuals to step up during what has been a difficult season under Arteta.

He’s at his best when he operates in a number 10 position where he can ghost into pockets of space, but he’s shown his versatility by also dropping in as a winger or even as a false nine striker.

Smith Rowe has weighed in with seven assists across all competitions so far this season, and his potential is exciting.