However, he failed to start a game in the Premier League in the 2022/23 season after missing most of the opening half of the season thanks to a groin injury. He came back to a squad flying high, and was only able to make seven appearances from the bench in the league.
In the summer, Smith Rowe would likely have been hoping for more chances in the coming season, especially following the departure of Granit Xhaka. However, Kai Havertz's £65million arrival from Chelsea have only increased the competition for places in both the midfield and attack.
Another knee injury saw him miss a key month of action over November and December. However, he has still made just two starts in all competitions this season, a problem for both he and the Gunners with the 23-year-old having another two-and-a-half years on his contract. Now there are rumours of interest from West Ham in a short-term deal.
With his transfer value only decreasing with every passing week on the substitutes' bench, Mikel Arteta and Arsenal face a dilemma over the England international. Do they allow him to leave on a short-term deal to try and get more football and increase his value in the process? Or keep him in north London and hope he can work his way into the team and avoid leaving themselves short if there are more injuries?
For his part, Arteta addressed the situation in his press conference ahead of the clash against Crystal Palace. "Emile is Emile," Arteta said. "We're really happy to have him. He needs chances. What we have to do is give him minutes."
Our football.london team have their say on the matter...
Kaya Kaynak - Arsenal writer
Personally I think Emile Smith Rowe still has a role to play at Arsenal - for the rest of this season at least. If he were to leave then the Gunners would definitely need to replace him. Fabio Vieira is still not back from a long term injury and Leandro Trossard hasn't convinced in the eight positions, so beyond Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard they would be lacking quality depth.
of allowing him to get more regular game time. If Kai Havertz is starting regularly in midfield with Fabio Vieira and Thomas Partey to come back from injury and Leandro Trossard also capable of playing in a No.8 role, are they really too short if they let him leave? I think not.
What's clear is the current situation is not getting the best out of him on or off the pitch. If Arsenal let Smith Rowe go on a short-term deal and he does well, it will only benefit both parties. He either comes back and challenges the likes of Havertz for a starting role or he raises his value to a place that allows the Gunners to reinvest more money in the team in a key area like No.9. If he leaves and doesn't impress, they won't lose much value on a player who was only sitting on their bench anyway.
Tom Coley - US Audience writer
Unless Mikel Arteta is seriously on the verge of offering Smith Rowe a way into this Arsenal side, and not just with minutes at the of matches when all hope is lost or they are comfortably ahead, then an exit of sorts is really needed. The Gunners cannot afford to lose his talents in more ways than one.
A player that was once a bright spark in the team is now and afterthought and that doesn't help anyone. Arsenal aren't using his ability and they also aren't seeing his price rise; if anything his stock has never been lower.
Partially down to injury, his growth has been heavily stunted but Arsenal must also take some blame here. In the mean time they have signed Kai Havertz and Fabio Vieira for £100million. Even a smaller squad role for Smith Rowe would have helped his career but instead he has found competition from two players yet to prove they are capable of matching his return.
Although there is potential for both Vieira and Havertz to become better, improving with time, their cost compared to the output is simply not good enough. Unfortunately though, as an academy player Smith Rowe will forever fight this.
Given the FFP implications it is a surprise that Arsenal aren't more open to some movement with Smith Rowe. Right now nobody is coming out on top.
People often forget how good Emile Smith Rowe is. Arsenal's No.10 was once the Gunners' talisman, scoring 11 goals in 37 appearances during the 2021/22 campaign. That now feels like a lifetime ago.
The 23-year-old has played just 245 minutes of action for Arsenal this season and is in serious danger of wasting his undoubted potential. The time has come for Mikel Arteta to make a decision - give the Hale Ender a chance or move him on.
On evidence over the past 18 months, Arteta is no longer that keen on Smith Rowe, with Kai Havertz, Fabio Vieira and Reiss Nelson all preferred in one way or another. Because of this, Smith Rowe should look to go on loan for the rest of the season. Not only will this boost his confidence and give him some much-needed minutes on the pitch, it could also increase his value ahead of a potential summer window sale. If it works out, it could be good for all parties.
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