TBR View: Emile Smith Rowe should seek loan move away from Arsenal this month

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Emile Smith Rowe is a contender for the B List for Arsenal’s squad in the Europa League but his development might be better served out on loan.

The Gunners youngster is only 20 so would be allowed to go on a separate Europa League squad list, allowing him to play in the competition.

Arsenal have drawn Dundalk, Molde and Rapid Vienna in their group and they should progress at a canter.

Smith Rowe might earn a chance to shine in those six games but will that be enough for his development at this stage of his career?

The attacking midfielder went on loan to Huddersfield Town last season and shone during the second half of the campaign.

He scored two goals and registered three assists during his spell in West Yorkshire but Danny Cowley did often use him as a more conventional central midfielder.

His strength is playing behind a striker as a No.10 and heading to a club where he can keep learning in that role would do him the world of good.

There would likely be plenty of Championship clubs willing to take such a promising youngster on loan and Smith Rowe would be silly not to consider it.

Experience

The London-born attack-minded player has 12 Gunners appearances to his name, along with three goals for the first-team.

Mikel Arteta has been a revelation to the club’s youngsters, giving them chances to impress in the first-team on a regular basis.

He hasn’t handed such opportunities to Smith Rowe as of yet and that must be a short-term concern for the player.

If he could go out and play regular football it could put him in good shape to challenge next year and the academy prospect would be wise to pester Arteta to seek such a move for him.