Mikel Arteta has revealed what Emile Smith Rowe must 'prove' to get back into the Arsenal starting line-up following his return from injury. The 22-year-old has suffered an injury-ridden campaign, initially missing much of the season due to a groin problem before sustaining a thigh strain in the latter stages of his rehabilitation programme.
Smith Rowe is back on the road to recovery now, featuring in the matchday squad in each of the Gunners' previous five Premier League fixtures. In two of which, against Everton and Bournemouth, the midfielder enjoyed brief cameos off the bench, registering an assist against the latter.
With the midfielder closing in on his first start of the season, Arteta has explained that the Hale End graduate must prove how much the club have missed his 'qualities'. Speaking to football.london ahead of Arsenal's clash with Sporting CP in the Europa League, the Gunners boss said: "He knows how much we love him and how much we missed him and how much we need his qualities.
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"Now he needs to prove it and how much he wants to win and how much he’s going to contribute to this team to be better. He’s gonna have to show that to get in the team."
Then, when asked how he'll manage Smith Rowe's minutes, Arteta replied: "I think we have to manage his load, but for sure he’s in a position where we can throw him in at any moment. Then it’s about how he’s coping with the game in general and whether to take him off or use him for the last few minutes of the game."
Smith Rowe is not the only Arsenal star making their long-awaited return from injury, so is Gabriel Jesus. The Brazil international suffered medial ligament damage against Cameroon while on international duty at the World Cup.
Jesus featured off the bench in the Gunners' win over Fulham at the weekend and Arteta has revealed his plan to reintegrate him back into the side. The Spaniard said: "It was great to see him back, you can feel the happiness of everyone, the players and the staff around him.
"We missed him and now he’s back. We have to manage his minutes, his involvement in the squad and the team. He’s feeling good and every day he’s training he says his sensations are better and better, so that’s really positive."
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