Mikel Arteta says must show consistency and hunger to improve in order to get into the team, with the England international yet to start this season.
The 22-year-old was struggling with a groin injury during pre-season, so he wasn’t quite ready to go when the campaign got underway, and after the Gunners’ brilliant start, he could struggle to get back into the team.
Arsenal are the only Premier League side to win all three games so far this season, with the trio of Bukayo Saka, and Gabriel Martinelli starting behind Gabriel Jesus.
With all of them playing well and the team picking up impressive wins, it looks difficult for Smith Rowe to get back into the starting XI, having been forced to settle for two substitute appearances so far this campaign, amounting to 22 minutes on the pitch.
Arteta has certainly not given up on the talented youngster, who is hugely talented among the Arsenal fans, but he has challenged Smith Rowe to prove he deserves to be picked.
‘He needs to now earn the right to play in the team. In order to do that, he needs to perform and be consistent,’ Arteta said ahead of Arsenal’s clash with Fulham at the Emirates on Saturday evening.
‘Every day for me is the key. What he shows every day and that consistency and that hunger and increase the level.’
Asked whether he has had to speak to Smith Rowe about his place in the squad, Arteta dismissed any problems, saying: ‘No because he’s been injured. He’s not had a clean , he’s not there yet.’
Arsenal have loaned Nicolas Pepe to Nice for the season, which should do no harm to Smith Rowe’s first team chances, but he does have to compete with summer signing Fabio Vieira.
The Portuguese star has recovered from a foot injury which hampered him over the summer and was on the bench as Arsenal beat Bournemouth 3-0 last time out.
The Gunners are hosting Fulham on Saturday evening and then Aston Villa on Wednesday night, so Arteta may be forced into some rotation for the first time and both Vieira and Smith Rowe will be hoping to get the nod.
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