Mikel Arteta agrees with Emile Smith Rowe on best Arsenal role amid Kai Havertz struggles

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has agreed with Emile Smith Rowe's verdict on the Hale End graduate's best position in the team. The 23-year-old has plenty of competition for a starting spot in the team after Kai Havertz was signed from Chelsea in the summer transfer window.

The Blues enquired about the availability of Smith Rowe in the summer — but Arsenal swiftly turned down the approach. The England international is yet to start a game for the Gunners so far this season after overcoming his injury woes from last term.

Smith Rowe made just 15 appearances last season after suffering with a groin problem at the start of the 2022/23 campaign. The Hale Ender struggled to convince Arteta that he deserved a starting spot in the team with the Gunners going on to finish second in the Premier League — five points behind Manchester City.

The addition of Havertz this summer sparked further speculation over Smith Rowe's future at the club after Fabio Vieira was also brought ahead of last season. Arteta now has a plethora of attacking midfield options at his disposal, whilst Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard tend to compete over the left-wing role in the starting XI.

However, with both Martinelli and Trossard currently recovering from injury — it could see Smith Rowe come back into the fold under Arteta. The Carabao Cup third round clash against Brentford may be the perfect opportunity for the 23-year-old to prove to the Arsenal boss that he belongs in the starting XI — given all of the injury problems hampering the Gunners.

In an interview with the Times earlier this year, Smith Rowe revealed his preferred position in the team — suggesting he likes to play in-between the lines as a hybrid role between a winger and a No.8. When asked