Emile Smith Rowe says battling through his injury hell last season has given him the mental resilience needed to win back his place in the Arsenal team.
Smith Rowe made his first Arsenal start in 499 days on Wednesday night, as the Gunners beat Brentford 1-0 in the Carabao Cup to set up a fourth-round trip to West Ham.
The midfielder managed just 195 minutes across 14 appearances last season after undergoing groin surgery in September. He returned to action in January, but suffered several injury setbacks and struggled to break back into the side under manager Mikel Arteta. After completing 82 minutes on his 100th appearance for Arsenal last night, Smith Rowe said he feels fully fit and mentally stronger than ever.
“I have changed my mentality a bit: just to go for it,” he said. “I have not really got anything to lose.
“I have tried to change that inside me. I used to have a lot of doubts. I used to question my confidence at times. But now I am really strong, I am feeling really fit and I am taking that into now.
“I really believe in myself now. I have got all the right people around me helping me — my family, my friends and everyone at the club is always willing to help every day in training and off the pitch. I have just got to keep going, keep believing, and I am sure the chances will come.
“It was a really tough period — having surgery for the first time and then having another setback once I got back on to the pitch. But this is football, you have got to face these challenges, you have ups and downs. I feel like I am a lot stronger and fitter now.”
Smith Rowe looked set to become a key player for Arsenal when he signed a new contract and was given the No10 shirt in 2021, but now faces fierce competition for his place in the team.
Arsenal have bolstered their options in midfield and out wide by signing Fabio Vieira, Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard, while Reiss Nelson scored the winner at Brentford.
“Being at a massive club like Arsenal, we know there is so much competition,” added Smith Rowe. “It is always going to be challenging, it is always going to be difficult to cement your place in the team. I have just got to keep believing in myself.
“Coming back and not quite getting back into the team, I have had to stay strong in my head and try to stay as positive as I can.
“I think the gaffer has really helped me with that. He was helping me through my injury and often pulled me for chats about how I can be mentally stronger, stuff like that.”
On a good night for Arsenal, goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale starred in his first game back in the team after being dropped for David Raya.
Ramsdale produced a stunning one-handed save to deny Yoane Wissa in the second half to remind Arteta just what he can do and show he is up for the fight for the No1 spot.
Arteta said: “He’s been exceptional around the place with the situation. Like everybody. We love him more, for sure. We know him, we know his character and we are really happy to have him.”
