‘Really nice to see’…Micah Richards delighted after what’s happened to 23-year-old Arsenal player this week

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Arsenal won at Nottingham Forest in midweek to get the perfect preparation in for this weekend’s heavyweight clash with Liverpool.

The Gunners produced a performance worthy of the win and despite hanging on a touch in the end, were good value for another big three points.

Mikel Arteta shuffled his pack a touch in the game and one of the main positives was seeing Emile Smith Rowe back in action.

The England midfielder played in a slightly deeper role than he has done previously but still looked good and his return to fitness will feel like a new signing for the Gunners.

Indeed, speaking on the Rest Is Football podcast, Micah Richards admitted he was happy to simply see Smith Rowe getting some football in again.

Micah Richards delighted by Emile Smith Rowe’s return for Arsenal

Speaking about Smith Rowe alongside Gary Lineker and Alan Shearer, the former Man City defender shared his delight at seeing Smith Rowe back.

“It was really nice to see Smith Rowe back as well. Within the starting 11. Before he got his injuries he was a key part of what they were trying to do. People might have wanted to see him a little bit further forward but in that midfield role I thought he had quite a convincing game. Obviously he has still got things to work on to know the new system but I think that was a great positive,” Richards said.

Smith Rowe can cushion January blues

Arsenal’s January window was pretty abysmal really. They didn’t get that striker so many feel they need and seemed to be hampered by FFP restrictions like so many others.

However, having Emile Smith Rowe back and firing will feel like they’ve signed a new player anyway. The midfielder has been out of contention for such a long time that seeing him now back in action feels massive.

With a bit of luck with fitness and a bit of faith from Arteta, Smith Rowe can have a huge contribution in the run-in for Arsenal.