“Arteta has been telling me all sort of sweet words but in the end, he still drops me to the bench to start a player that doesn’t train as hard as i do”- Arsenal star Smith Rowe speaks sadly to the media after Mikel Arteta failed to fulfill the promise he made about playing him in games

Emile Smith Rowe will be ‘much better player’ after injury, says Mikel Arteta

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Emile Smith Rowe will be a ‘much better player’ due to the difficulties that he’s experienced during his injury hell.

The midfielder has made just 22 appearances across the last two seasons as he’s struggled to stay fit with a plethora of different issues.

The playmaker, just 23, returned to training this week after a six-week lay off. 

He was greeted to cheers by the Arsenal squad, who were delighted to see the popular Croydon-born ace back on the grass.

Smith Rowe, an Arsenal academy product, has struggled to deal with the number of setbacks.

But Arteta says his experience will make him a ‘much better player’.

‘What he has been through is part of the experience that 95 per cent of footballers have to go through,’ said Arteta. 

‘That’s difficulties, injuries, setbacks and different kind of performances too. He’s back now, and he can use that in a very powerful way, he will be a much better player. I think he’s on the right path, the way he’s done his rehab, I haven’t seen it like he’s done it this time.

‘I think you have seen how his team-mates reacted to him being back with the team, which is a really positive thing as well. The more we can give him chances to play, the better we will be. So let’s hope that’s going to be the case.’