Arsenal made a number of changes but still secured all three points in a 2-0 victory against Luton Town on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta saw the importance of rotation and decided to give some of his bench players a rare start, and Emile Smith Rowe took his opportunity as he played a part in both Arsenal goals.
The Englishman was awarded the player of the match for his display, which drew praise from Arteta as his excellent work rate saw him win the ball in the build-up for Martin Odegaard’s opener, before helping double the lead as his cross was turned in for an own goal.
It was Smith Rowe’s best performance in a long time after struggling for fitness and gametime in the last two years, and he will hope to kick on and make an impact for the rest of this season, but his future does remain uncertain.
Emile Smith Rowe could still leave Arsenal despite Luton masterclass
Speaking on his YouTube channel, journalist Charles Watts claimed that whilst Smith Rowe’s display was an enjoyable one, he still expects the midfielder to depart in the summer window.
“I think Emile’s probably going to end up going in the summer. I think we can all see where this story’s going and how it’s going to end,” he stated.
“I’ll be surprised if it’s any different come the end of the summer, but for now I’ve loved watching him play again yesterday in that first half.
“He tired understandably in the second half, but in that first half when he was on it, he was making those runs, he was winning the ball back, showing really good intent, quality on the ball when he got into the final third, driving into the box, everything we know Smith Rowe for, and I think he provides something very, very different that Arsenal don’t have.
“Personally, I think he’s been underused. I think you can see that by his level of performance yesterday, he can offer more to this team. I wish Arteta would use him more.”
Should Arsenal use Emile Smith Rowe more this season?
With such a busy fixture schedule in the title race, whilst also competing in the Champions League quarter-finals, having Smith Rowe back in form could be vital for Arteta.
Rotation will be necessary, not just in terms of starting lineups, but with substitutes as well, and Odegaard in particular, has played a lot of minutes recently.
If Smith Rowe can force himself into Arteta’s thinking as his first go-to substitute, he can play his way into the side if he continues to deliver like he did at Luton.
The rest of this season could go some way into helping save Smith Rowe’s Arsenal career, and if he can make himself unsellable to Arteta in these next two months, there may be hope for him.