Emile Smith Rowe insists Arsenal's recent transfer activity is "exciting" after the Gunners completed the signing of Kai Havertz and close in on Declan Rice.
Arsenal announced the arrival of Havertz from Chelsea for £65million plus add-ons on Wednesday as Mikel Arteta secured his first signing of the summer transfer window. The German has signed a long-term contract at the Emirates Stadium and further strengthens their forward options, having scored nine times in 47 games last season.
Smith Rowe is hoping Havertz can bolster the Gunners' attack, although the midfielder is eager to put his injury issues to one side and perform himself. The 22-year-old is currently out with England at the Under-21s European Championships in Georgia and Romania.
"I see what happens and obviously it’s good for the club to add strength to the team," Smith Rowe told The Sun while away on international duty. "I feel like the additions we’re making are going to really help the team progress again. It’s really exciting so hopefully we can go one step further next season.
"Of course (it is extra competition with Havertz arrival), but this is football. You’ve just got to get on with it. I've got to keep working hard and it’s healthy competition. I’ve got to keep fighting."
"I did see a lot of talk about my position but I’m not really sure what they think. I’m happy to play anywhere. Maybe it is inside, maybe it’s wide. I’ll be having that conversation when I get back."
Arsenal are now closing in on their second arrival of the transfer window. Rice is expected to make the move across London and join from West Ham for a fee in the region of £105m.
In a long-running saga, the Gunners look set to beat Manchester City to his signature after Arsenal tabled a record-breaking bid for an English Premier League player earlier in the week.
Smith Rowe has played with Rice in the England set-up and claimed he could not believe he how good he was. "I can’t speak highly enough of him," continued the Arsenal star. "I remember my first camp and I was surprised with how good he actually was.
"He was the best in training. Just his level, intensity, technically, everything he was doing. A real leader and still so young. He was really, really good."
Meanwhile, Jurrien Timber is also closing in on a £45m move from Ajax as Arteta tries to bolster his defensive cover and add an extra option in that department.
Arsenal will face German outfit Nurnburg in their first pre-season friendly on the summer on Thursday, July 13, before entertaining MLS All-Stars, Manchester United, Barcelona and Monaco in their remaining four friendlies. The Gunners face Man City in the Community Shield at Wembley on August 13 - six days before the start of the Premier League campaign - where they will kickstart with a home game against Nottingham Forest.
