Mikel Arteta responds to Emile Smith Rowe West Ham United speculation
After a breakthrough 2021-22 season in the Arsenal first team, where he came up with 10 Premier League goals in 33 matches, Smith Rowe has been demoted to a bit-part player under Arteta.
Injuries have severely harmed the 23-year-old's development, as he was restricted to just 14 appearances last season due to a groin operation and also spent a month out with a knee injury between November and December 2023.
When fully fit, though, Smith Rowe has still struggled to get a look-in over the likes of Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, playing just 12 times this season and setting up one goal for Eddie Nketiah in October's 5-0 thrashing of Sheffield United.
That victory over the Blades represents Smith Rowe's only start in the 2023-24 Premier League season, and after failing to come off the bench against Fulham on New Year's Eve, he was only a late substitute against Liverpool in the Gunners' recent FA Cup defeat.
Smith Rowe remains a hugely popular figure at the Emirates, but his lack of minutes has naturally led to links with a move elsewhere in January, especially if he wants to catch Gareth Southgate's eye ahead of Euro 2024.
A recent report claimed that West Ham had been in touch to discuss signing Smith Rowe on loan for the rest of the season, and Arteta was questioned on such speculation in Friday's press conference ahead of Saturday's clash with Crystal Palace.
The Spaniard — who is generally loath to discuss transfer activity with the media — unsurprisingly had little to say on the matter, but he waxed lyrical about Smith Rowe's training
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