Mikel Arteta hints at first-team role for Arsenal 19-year-old deemed ‘Ozil’s successor’

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Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has hinted at a potential first-team opportunity for Emile Smith Rowe, in conversation with Sky Sports.

The 19-year-old is considered one of the best young talents at the Emirates Stadium and made six appearances for the Gunners across the Europa League, League Cup and Premier League this campaign.

In January, Smith Rowe joined Huddersfield on loan until the end of the season and enjoyed a fruitful spell at the John Smith’s Stadium, making 18 Championship appearances and claiming two goals and three assists.

His efforts helped the Terriers survive the drop, ultimately finishing three points clear of the bottom three, with the victory over West Brom in the penultimate game – in which he netted a late winner – especially crucial.

“He’s a player with very specific qualities to play in those pockets in that position as an attacking midfielder,” Arteta told Sky Sports on Friday.

“I am excited to work with him. I have been talking with him and I have followed him during his spell on loan. I think he’s someone who can be pretty impressive.

“I’m pleased by what I’ve seen from him. He needed that exposure and he looks more mature now. I think he will be in a much better place when he comes back in pre-season.

“The young players want to be important, they want to take the important numbers, and I like that. It’s a good step. and they can be important in the future, but it’s up to them to decide that.”

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With each passing day, Mesut Ozil’s future at Arsenal looks more and more uncertain, and aside from Arteta’s glowing appraisal of Smith Rowe, there have been other hints suggesting he could soon dethrone the German as the club’s No. 10.

Football London recently claimed that, in Smith Rowe, “Arsenal already have their Mesut Ozil successor amid creativity concerns in Mikel Arteta’s squad”, not to mention the youngster enjoys playing at No. 10 the most and idolises the 2014 World Cup winner.