Exclusive: Emile Smith Rowe has come a long way and deserves all Arsenal can give him

Having them cheap does not mean they are not good enough, you are only blessed to have what others spend fortunes looking for, for free. This is the case of Arsenal with Emile Smith Rowe.

Emile Smith Rowe has signed a new five years contract with Arsenal. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Sporf.

After struggling for creativity since the departure of some of their best Creator in Chief, and how things had transpired between the last one at the club, Mesut Özil, Arsenal's longing was eased with the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe.

The 20-year-old first came into the limelight in Unai Emery's first season at the club, where he impressed in the pre-season and made a strong start to the 2018-19 season, featuring in the Europa League and the League Cup.

Smith Rowe was fantastic for The Gunners senior team in all his six appearances, with four of those coming in Europa League, where he scored two goals, and the other two appearances came in the EFL Cup, where he scored against Blackpool.

His development was then hampered by injuries, which limited him to only three appearances when he was loaned out to RB Leipzig, playing just 26 minutes of football in total.

He returned to Arsenal the following season and played more for the Under 23, while Arsenal endured a rough patch under Unai Emery. He appeared three times in the Europa League group games, and twice in the League, the last appearance was against Everton, in Mikel Arteta's first game as the Arsenal boss.

He was sent out on loan to Championship side Huddersfield Town as the club continued to monitor his development. The move was to make him get playing time and develop in his game more, to be ready for the club's first team.

Smith Rowe's performance at Huddersfield Town caught the eye of many. The highlight of his performances came in his final home appearance for the club, he scored an 86th minute winner against West Bromwich Albion that would eventually help Huddersfield Town secure EFL Championship safety.

He returned to Arsenal and at the start of last season was nursing a shoulder injury. He finally made his first appearance of the season in the Europa League round four clash away to Molde, where he came in as a substitute and assisted Folarin Balogun for Arsenal's third in a 3-0 win.

He was also given another 27 minutes cameo the following matchday in Europe against Rapid Vienna and scored his first goal of the season, making it 4-1 Arsenal.

Smith Rowe finally earned a first start of the season in their final Europa League group game against Dundalk in a 4-2 win, where he assited Mohamed Elneny for what proved to be Arsenal's goal of the season winner.

While Arsenal continue to struggle in the league and lack creativity in their play, Arteta continue to shun the fact that he has players doing it in Europe, and maybe underestimate these players, and Arsenal went nine games without a win in the league.

However, on the Boxing Day clash with Chelsea at the turn of the calendar year, surprisingly, Emile Smith Rowe was trusted to start against a side who have been dominant in their play stood at the top of the table while The Gunners were at the other end.

Not many gave either the Croydon DeBruyne or Arsenal a chance against Frank Lampard's Chelsea, but it was to be a start of something great for the 20-year-old, and something better for Mikel Arteta's Arsenal.

Arsenal ended up earning their first league win after several attempts without success. They from there embacked on a good run of game without a loss, and eventually moved further up the table.

Smith Rowe made a total of 20 premier league appearances for Arsenal last season, and the Gunners picked up a total of 40 points in those games, compared to the 21 points earned from the 18 games without him.

Emile Smith Rowe celebrates his first ever Premier League goal vs. West Brom. Photo Credits: Twitter/ Emile Smith Rowe

Coming into the new season and signed a contract extension to remain at the club until 2026, Emile Smith Rowe has also been awarded the famous number 10 jersey and the responsibility will surely be attracting more pressure, but the Academy graduate look ready to take the club he has represent since he was nine, to the next level.

Notwithstanding many will think Arsenal have come low to awarding the number 10 to Smith Rowe, but there is no denying his performances last season has earned him this and more. "When they are good enough, they are old enough."

Given the pedigree of players to have worn the Arsenal number 10, in the likes of Dennis Bergkamp, Robin Van Persie, Jack Wilshere, and most recently Mesut Özil, it is indeed a huge one for the former Leipzig man and he will also be aware of these things.

A total of 14 goals contributions in what could be called his first stint with the senior team deserves plaudits. However, his performances can not only be judged based on just goals and assists. He was heavily involved in the team's play.

Smith Rowe is made for Arsenal, and signing a player like him in the current market will cost handsomely. His energy and forward drive makes him unplayable at times. He also has a good eye for passes and makes good runs when on and off the ball.

Asked question on leading the team in a creative sense after signing his new contract, he said; “There is always going to be pressure for us, but of course, I’m looking forward to it. I’m going to be ready for sure. I can’t wait to meet all the fans & stuff, it’s definitely a pressure I’m going to take on.” 

Mikel Arteta has also showed faith in Smith Rowe since his run of impressive performances toward the end of last year and at the start of the current year, regarding Mikel, Smith Rowe said;

"I want to repay the faith that he's put in me, I just want to keep pushing on and make him more proud this season. I can't wait to carry on working with him and everyone loves him, we all love it."

Smith Rowe has started where he left off last season already with his recent performances in pre-season games against Hibernian and Rangers. And Arsenal faithful will remain hopeful he can take that into the new season, and the strikers be able to convert his created chances.

Last summer, it was Bukayo Saka who was handed the number seven jersey after impressing in the season before and now it is Smith Rowe, Arsenal's Academy is now helping the senior team with her graduates, which also include Joseph Willock, who was sensational on loan at Newcastle United in the second half of last season.

Emile Smith Rowe and Bukayo Saka have secured their place in the senior team. Photo Credits: Facebook/ Bukayo Saka

Arsenal now have a really young squad and have added Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Ben White, whose signing will be made official soon. Mikel Arteta is also in market for more players as they work on bringing back to club to it's glory days.

Afolabi Kehinde Hassan