Emile Smith Rowe has been assured that he has a long-term future at Arsenal despite his difficult campaign.
The Gunners’ academy graduate looked to have an uncertain future after falling down the pecking order at the Emirates Stadium. The 22-year-old made just 14 appearances for Arsenal throughout the 2022/23 campaign - none of those being starts.
It was suggested that Smith Rowe could be sold this summer as Arsenal target a squad refresh in North London. However, that does not now appear to be the case.
According to The Athletic, the club have no intention of letting him leave in the upcoming summer transfer window. The Gunners are apparently hopeful that he shines at the upcoming U21 Euros set to take place in Romania and Georgia.
They will then expect him to return to London Colney for pre-season ahead of the 2023/24 campaign. Speaking earlier this season, boss Mikel Arteta sent him a simple message over how he can find a route back into first-team contention.
He said: "He knows how much we love him, and we know how much we missed him and how much we need his qualities. And now he needs to prove it, he needs to prove how much he wants to win, and how much he's going to contribute to this team to be better and win.
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"And he's going to have to show that to get in the team. I think we have to manage his load, but for sure he's in a position where we can throw him in the team at any moment.
"And then it's about how he's coping with the team in general and whether we have to take him off or to use him in the last few minutes of the game."
Smith Rowe has three years to run on the long-term contract that he signed in the summer of 2021. The attacking midfielder has made 96 appearances in all for Arsenal since breaking into the first-team.
His best campaign came during the 2021/22 season as he scored 11 goals in all competitions. He has a challenge on his hands if he wants to get back into the Arsenal first-team next term.
Martin Odegaard currently has the position locked down after a stunning campaign as captain, whilst former Porto star Fabio Vieira is also capable of deputising in the position. Interestingly, the former has been linked with an exit from Arsenal over recent days.
Paris Saint-Germain are interested in signing him but the Gunners once again appear to have put their foot down. Arteta is expecting the Norwegian midfielder to be a key performer next term, whilst Odegaard is happy in North London.
