Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has hinted that Emile Smith Rowe could play a huge part in the title race this season ahead of the side's clash with Southampton. The Gunners are looking to end a run of back-to-back draws after their lead at the top was cut from eight points down to just four.
Things are still in the hands of the north London outfit, though rivals Manchester City have an extra game to play - which will become two after this weekend due to their involvement in the cup - as well as a head-to-head clash next week. Heading into the clash with the Saints though, Arteta labelled himself as confident in turning form around.
"Very confident," the Spaniard proclaimed when asked about the title race. "Twists and turns are part of everything that you do, especially in football. It’s not always going to be a linear progression. You have to know that and you have to be prepared for that. The way the team reacted was incredibly positive and we want to see that tomorrow night when we get onto that field."
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With so many twists and turns left to come in the title race, it may take a moment of magic from somewhere else to give Arsenal the hope they need. One of those sources of inspiration could be Smith Rowe, who has had a difficult season individually after suffering with injuries.
He has since come back into the fray and leading into the match on Friday, Arteta was asked about his involvement. He said: "He’s pushing. In football it’s not about what you’ve done a year or a month ago, it’s about what you do now, what you did yesterday and what you’re going to do tomorrow.
"The player has to have that mindset and the contribution has to be now to the team to make us better and win games." He was then asked if he has that mindset, to which Arteta hinted: "It is there. Very close, yeah."
It could mean that the winger is back with a shout of making the first team once again, though the form of the other frontline players has made it tough to break in. It remains to be seen whether the youngster will have a big part to play in the run-in, but if he takes his chances, it could be a deciding moment.
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