Journalist Charles Watts has now defended one unpopular decision Mikel Arteta made as Arsenal thrashed Sheffield United 6-0 on Monday evening.
Many Arsenal fans will have wanted to see Emile Smith Rowe make it onto the pitch against Sheffield United.
Given the Gunners were 5-0 up by half-time at Bramall Lane, Mikel Arteta was able to make plenty of changes. As Bukayo Saka was feeling unwell, he was replaced by Fabio Vieira at the break. Thomas Partey and Gabriel Jesus, both also making their returns from injury like Vieira, were also given significant minutes in the second half.
Arteta also took the opportunity to rest Ben White by bringing on Cedric Soares, whilst Leandro Trossard was handed a late runout too. Meanwhile, Smith Rowe remained fixed on the bench.
The Hale End academy graduate is a fan favourite at the Emirates Stadium, but has struggled for regular opportunities this season. Arteta insists that Smith Rowe remains in his plans, but with Vieira now back in action, the England star may well be about to fall even further down the pecking order.
There can be no doubting the 23-year-old’s quality. The midfielder has proven in the past that he has what it takes to shine at Premier League level. However, he has not been a regular starter for the north London club for some time. Smith Rowe’s future at Arsenal must now be considered in serious doubt.
Charles Watts backs Mikel Arteta over Emile Smith Rowe call
Journalist Charles Watts has now responded to criticisms of Arteta for his decision not to give Smith Rowe any game time at all at Bramall Lane. Speaking on his Inside Arsenal YouTube platform, the reporter said, “maybe Arteta could have done it right at the end when he brought on Trossard, he could’ve brought on Smith Rowe. You all know how much of a big fan I am of Emile Smith Rowe, and how much I want to see him on the pitch and getting minutes, but I didn’t really think it was an issue against Sheffield United.”
“It was so important to give Partey, Vieira, Jesus minutes, because they’ve been out for so long. Smith Rowe has got a fair amount of minutes recently, which has been great…on this occasion, against Sheffield United, I had no issue really with the subs.”
Partey, Vieira, and Jesus do need to get up to speed quickly. They will have a part to play in the run-in. However, none of that trio should expect to now walk straight into the regular starting XI. Kai Havertz has been hugely impressive up front in recent weeks. Equally, Jorginho has now established himself as a key figure in the middle of the park. As a result, both Jesus and Partey now face a fight to get back into starting contention.
As for Smith Rowe, he will get more opportunities in the coming weeks, and he needs to ensure that he takes them. He has to prove that he can still offer something important to this Arsenal team which is clearly on the rise.