Emile Smith Rowe has missed much of the season due to various injuries and Mikel Arteta has revealed his plan to reintegrate the midfielder back into the starting line-up
With the midfielder closing in on his first start of the season, Arteta has explained that the Hale End graduate must prove how much the club have missed his ‘qualities’. Speaking to football.london ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Sporting CP in the Europa League, the Gunners boss said: “He knows how much we love him and how much we missed him and how much we need his qualities.
“Now he needs to prove it and how much he wants to win and how much he’s going to contribute to this team to be better. He’s gonna have to show that to get in the team.”
Then, when asked how he’ll manage Smith Rowe’s minutes, Arteta replied: “I think we have to manage his load, but for sure he’s in a position where we can throw him in at any moment. Then it’s about how he’s coping with the game in general and whether to take him off or use him for the last few minutes of the game.”
“We missed him and now he’s back. We have to manage his minutes, his involvement in the squad and the team. He’s feeling good and every day he’s training he says his sensations are better and better, so that’s really positive.”