Emile Smith Rowe sent a timely message to Mikel Arteta that he could yet play a part in Arsenal ’s title run-in.
The 22-year-old playmaker grabbed his first goal of an injury-ravaged campaign as he put Lee Carsley’s Under-21s on the road to a morale-boosting victory.
Smith Rowe, who was the Gunners’ second top scorer last term, has struggled to shake off a nagging groin injury and has seen his game-time limited as Arteta’s side moved ahead of the Premier League pack.