Mikel Arteta ‘really happy’ with performance of exciting Arsenal talent

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Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta lavished praise on Emile Smith Rowe during his post-match press conference with Football London after a 4-2 win over Dundalk.

Goals from Eddie Nketiah, Mohamed Elneny, Joe Willock and Folarin Balogun ensured an unblemished record for the Gunners in the group stages of the competition.

It was Smith Rowe who drew praise from his manager though after registering an assist on the night.

The 20-year-old has found first-team football hard to come by this season and this was just his fourth outing in all competitions.

Arteta was impressed though and thought the academy graduate was influential during the contest.

He told Football London: “He hasn’t played many games and he played in a position that doesn’t suit him perfectly for his qualities.

“You can see every time he is around the ball that something is going to happen.

“He has a lot of creativity, he’s player that has a lot of quality to receive the ball and do things in areas where the high-value spaces are opened.

“He’s a threat and I’m really happy with his performance.”

TBR View – Could Smith Rowe earn Premier League shot

Arsenal have scored just 10 goals during their 11 Premier League matches this season and creativity has been a big issue.

Maybe that could swing open a door for Smith Rowe to prove he is the answer to Arteta’s creative conundrum.

He certainly did his chances no harm against Dundalk, even if he was operating on the left of a front three.

It’s not a position which typically comes naturally to Smith Rowe but it certainly gives Arteta food for thought.

With the game against Burnley looking like a must-win game, the Arsenal boss could do a lot worse than unleash Smith Rowe on the Clarets.