Emile Smith Rowe says it was important that he put in a positive performance against Luton having endured another “really tough” season at the Emirates.
The England international, making only his third league start of the campaign, was involved in both of Arsenal’s goals during a sprightly first half showing, first stealing the ball to spark a counter finished off by Martin Odegaard and later providing the cutback that forced Daiki Hashioka’s own goal.
While Smith Rowe tired as the game wore on, his 85 minutes on the pitch was the longest he’s managed in the Premier League in exactly two years.
It remains to be seen whether he’ll be trusted with more starts in the next six weeks, but he certainly made a point to Mikel Arteta on a night when the Spaniard asked fringe players to step up.
“It inspires me a lot and I’m sure the other players,” Smith Rowe told Arsenal.com after the 2-0 win.
“It’s been a really tough season for me and some of the other players haven’t played as much as we’d have liked to.
“It’s important that we came in tonight and put in a performance and show the manager that we can be a part of this team.
“All season, the boys are ready to step in and put in a performance and I think it just shows how tight we are as a team – it’s like a family.
“We’re really happy that players can come in and still perform. That’s what it’s about, the strength in depth is really good.”
Smith Rowe came close to opening the scoring on 20 minutes only for keeper Thomas Kaminski to make the save. The academy graduate was clearly frustrated not to break his duck for the season.
“I’m a bit disappointed I couldn’t get a goal tonight because it’s been so long, but I’m really happy with being part of two goals. I think getting a clean sheet was really important for us. We’re delighted.
“I got really tired at the end to be fair! Obviously, I haven’t played a lot and I think that shows. I’m really happy with my performance and minutes tonight so let’s see what’s next.”
In his post-game press conference, manager Arteta had plenty of warm words for a player who helped kick-start his project when he was introduced to the team in 2020.
“I love him as a player,” said the manager. “It’s a joy to watch him, how he moves, how he changes direction, how physical he was today as well without the ball.
“He won a lot of duels and he was thinking with that killer instinct to play forward and to make things happen and when Emile is in that moment it’s very difficult to stop him. Today he helped us a lot to win the game.”
Arsenal will spend today recovering before attention turns to Saturday’s clash at Brighton. While there’s no margin for error in the title chase, Arteta may lean on more fringe players at the Amex given the Gunners host Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday.
Really pleased for him…hope he kicks on …..got some of the good bits of Paul Merson about him.
ESR is one of our own. He should stop using his fingers, like the other finger players, otherwise he’s great and I hope he has a long successful career with us!
And to have a chant at his age is a sign of the love he gets and deserves from us fans.
I hope he makes it at the Arsenal. He’s one of us, and such a lovely lad.
Finger players?
Is this a thing, or a fringe player typo?
Is Mikel choosing players by testing their Subbuteo skills now?
To get some of the good bits of Paul Merson.
Typo!
We should sell him.
A very good player on his day, but far too injury-prone.
A move would be good for both him and the club.
Judging his fitness against Rice
Ødegaard White Havertz Saka you’re probably right ! Talent wise ? He’s their equal & would be a superb player if he could stay fit but he hasn’t ! A comparable talent would cost a shit load to buy though so I’d keep him ! Errr in cotton wool !!
ESR, Jesus and Tomi all have the same problem: they can’t stay fit for any length of time.
Next season we should seriously try to go for everything; that means we need to have a fit squad to rely on.
I’m sure that there are a few bargains out there that can be purchased this summer to replace the injury-prone players.
And how about promoting a couple of the youth players?
No team has zero injury-prone players but you don’t want your big players to be that.
Cedric could be retained for a bargain. No injury problems there.
However in general it’s hard to get combination of bargain, quality and no other issues.
I do agree
Blogs, I hope by “finger players” to you mean players like Bennie Blanco. I watched him try to get past the Luton left back using his fingers. If only he can find a way to fool the ref I think we could do with a few more “finger tricks” especially when trying to break down low blocks in the next 8 matchdays.
I’ll get my coat now.
Maybe nobody noticed but after the opening goal I loved how Zinchenko ran straight to him and passionately congratulated him for his role in that goal. That aggressive steal was everything we needed.
He lasted about 60 mins and then he looked very leggy (admitted to cramping). it’s amazing how the saying ”nothing compares to match fitness” is true. he’s had extensive training sessions for months and he still couldn’t last.
My memory is he often got subbed even when a regular
He seems to get much better at the defensive aspects of the game. If he can get rid of the recurring injuries, he would be a useful squad player. All the more so considering we already have to replace Partey and Elneny — at least — this summer.
I’m hopeful that ESR will keep improving in all aspects of his football to move up in the squad pecking order. Last summer we brought on Rice, Raya, Havertz and Timber and I can see a similar number coming in this summer. We need more defensive cover on the right side of the defense, I’d like to see another RB as I don’t think Tomi’s availability isn’t helped by him playing that position as opposed to RCB. We need a starting left 8 and ESR can compete for that position as well, I see Kai as more of a central… Read more »
I still think he can be much, much more than a squad player. Fucking love this kid.
Elneny, yes. He’ll be out of contract. Just cos Blogs thinks Partey is definitely leaving doesn’t mean he is. Be madness to let him go without a too drawer replacement.
Love it when players go to the byline and knock a ball hard back towards the penalty spot, nightmare to defend, I used to hate it as a defender… don’t know why teams don’t exploit it more…can’t be offside, pinball = own goal. Overmars was was good at. Am I allowed to say Overmars ???? Tross Saka Martinelli all ideal.
I love ESR, he is the player I most enjoy watching in the current team (with Odegaard) – I hope he stays, I hope he stays fit, and I hope he becomes integral because he provides something a lot of other players don’t.
Just remembered, reading this, ESR, we dearingly call him “Schmid-Ruderer” at the Arsenalfc Switzerland, is an international. He should be a surprise inclusion in the England squad. He clearly has talent and with it come abilities like driving the ball forward, dribbling that you cannot learn. And yes, he’s one of us, true Arsenal. Should he be in the England team? Is the Pope catholic?