Almost precisely a year ago, Emile Smith Rowe scored a goal and recorded an assist in a 3-1 derby win over Tottenham Hotspur. Arsenal fans had become entirely aware of his importance to the side since he broke into the team in December 2020, but this performance helped announce him to the rest of the league.
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A series of sparkling performances saw international recognition follow. By November, Smith Rowe had earned a first call-up to Gareth Southgate’s senior squad. Four days after making his international debut in a 5-0 win over Albania, he came off the bench to score his first England goal against San Marino. Inevitably, given his quality and his versatility, talk of a World Cup place began to circulate.
Nine months on, that talk has quietened substantially. In some ways, the 22-year-old’s fortunes somewhat hinged on that international break of November 2021. Prior to making his England bow, he started 10 of Arsenal’s 11 Premier League games. Of the remaining 27, he started only 11. Injuries were not a real problem — he only failed to make the squad for three of Arsenal’s 38 top-flight matches. The biggest issue was the emergence of Gabriel Martinelli as a regular starter on the left side of Arsenal’s attack. When Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang came out of the side, Mikel Arteta needed someone to replicate that threat in behind.
In another respect, Smith Rowe was a victim of his own success: he demonstrated the capacity to be an effective substitute, at one stage scoring in three consecutive Premier League games having started from the bench (against West Ham, Leeds and Norwich in December 2021). It spoke to his football intelligence, but Smith Rowe would doubtless have preferred to be in the starting XI.
This season has started slowly for Smith Rowe. A pre-season injury meant he began the 2022-23 campaign out of contention, and he is yet to start any of Arsenal’s six Premier League games. Thus far, he has played just over a half’s-worth of football. It’s now 11 starts from 33 league games since his England debut.
This time round, Smith Rowe’s physical condition has been a factor in his absence. The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported seeing him pull up in the warm-down after Arsenal’s last Premier League game, against Manchester United.
🚨 Emile Smith Rowe appeared to pull up with an injury during Arsenal warm-down. 22yo attacking midfielder looked distressed as he was accompanied back to dressing room by #AFC assistant coach Carlos Cuesta, while rest of substitutes continued their session @TheAthleticUK #MUNARS pic.twitter.com/rz9TKGr6Yt
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) September 4, 2022
The good news, from an Arsenal perspective, is that Smith Rowe is not suffering with a muscular injury. He is experiencing pain in his groin related to growth. He has suffered with this issue before, during his loan spell with RB Leipzig. It restricted him to just half an hour’s football in half a season in the Bundesliga.
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Although this is not classified as an “injury” per se, Smith Rowe’s situation does require careful management. He will not be rushed. Although there is no time-frame on his return, the club and those around the player do not believe this situation will lead to a long-term absence. Nor do they believe it will affect his bid for a World Cup place.
However, with each week that passes, and every game he does not start, those hopes do fade a little. In the short-term, Smith Rowe’s focus must be on reclaiming his regular Arsenal place. Without that, his chances of breaking back into Southgate’s squad appear slim.
If he can keep his pain levels under control, there are some good opportunities on the horizon. Arsenal’s Europa League group stage is underway. While Arteta has largely tended towards picking almost identical Premier League XIs, continental competition provides a platform for Arsenal’s remaining players to stake their claim. The Europa League is the competition in which, under Unai Emery, Smith Rowe first made a real impact on the Arsenal squad. Now it could be his route back into the Premier League XI.
Then there’s the possibility of him playing in different positions. Last season, Smith Rowe was generally used as a left-sided attacker. However, his versatility provides Arteta with other options. He can play on the right, through the middle, and potentially even as a false nine. Perhaps most intriguingly, Arteta has twice cited Smith Rowe as a potential option as a No 8. Arsenal are relatively light on options in central midfield, and if Smith Rowe can demonstrate an ability to play there, there are plenty of minutes available.
The reality is that Arsenal need Smith Rowe. In the final week of the transfer window, the club were considering moves for both a wide forward and a central midfielder. Ultimately, they were unable to add either. It was disappointing news for Arsenal, but arguably good news for Smith Rowe, who could stand to benefit in both positions.
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Whenever a player lacks a little form or fitness, they are questioned. But those who work with Smith Rowe closely do not doubt his quality — in the last few weeks, Kieran Tierney named him as the most gifted player in training. In the All or Nothing documentary, Granit Xhaka is seen calling Smith Rowe “the future here”. Just last summer, Arsenal rebuffed interest from Aston Villa to sign him to a new long-term contract, granting him the No 10 shirt in the process. That suggests they see things the same way.
Smith Rowe’s time with Arsenal — and indeed England — will doubtless come again. The first step is for him to find a way to manage his pain. When he is on the pitch, his quality speaks for itself.
(Top photo: Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
