The Gunners academy graduate burst onto the scene midway through the 2020/21 season and seemed destined for greatness when he finished the following campaign as the club's top scorer. However, due to both persistent fitness issues and seemingly falling out of favour with boss Mikel Arteta, Smith Rowe's development has undeniably stalled in recent times.
Where he was once one of the first names on the teamsheet, there is now an argument to be made that the England international is Arsenal's third choice attacking midfielder, behind both club captain Martin Odegaard and Fabio Vieira.
However, that fall from grace has not deterred Newcastle from potentially luring him away from the Emirates as the Magpies mull over a move for Smith Rowe. Eddie Howe's side are well aware that the lack of game time on offer to the 23-year-old at Arsenal may mean he could be open to a transfer.
Arteta has made crystal clear what he expects from an attacking midfielder at Arsenal and did so shortly after Smith Rowe had penned a new contract with the club in the summer of 2021. "An incredible season for a number 10 of Arsenal means he needs to score 15 goals and give 10 assists," the Spaniard explained.
"Then you are right up there with the top guys in Europe and in the league. He's [Smith Rowe] got the ability to do it but he hasn't done it." More than two years on from those comments, he still hasn't done it.Perhaps what is more damaging for Smith Rowe is the fact that Odegaard, a man who often takes up similar positions to the ones the Hale End product would find himself in, has managed to hit such heights. Last term, the Norway skipper notched Arteta's desired goal tally of 15, though fell three short of his ideal number of assists.
Smith Rowe is yet to score or register an assist at all this term, though that is to be expected considering his only start has come in the form of a 1-0 win away at Brentford in the Carabao Cup. He has only enjoyed a total of 10 minutes in the league, split over two brief cameo appearances off the bench.
Arteta has previously taken ownership of Smith Rowe's spell out of the side, suggesting he is responsible for "three or four" players being left out in the cold.
"I have to be critical of myself,” said the Spaniard last season. "My job is to get the best out of 24 players we have available and I haven’t been able to do that. There are three or four I would say that still have huge potential but for different reasons, they haven’t been able to do that."
Newcastle are believed to favour a loan deal initially, but it is unlikely the Gunners will allow Smith Rowe to depart unless it is a permanent exit for a hefty transfer fee.
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