Mikel Arteta has suggested Emile Smith Rowe can play very well as a central striker
Mikel Arteta has claimed that Emile Smith Rowe can play very well as a central striker, as Arsenal head into the final months of the season with limited options.
Emile Smith Rowe is Arsenal’s leading scorer in all competitions this season, and he opened the scoring for Mikel Arteta’s side at the weekend with his 10th of the season.
This season, the midfielder has filled a variety of roles, but he appears to be settling into a role on the left flank, where he has seven goals and two assists in 11 games.
Mikel Arteta, on the other hand, has claimed that Smith Rowe’s goal production might lead to him playing in a center-forward role.
“He can play as a left-winger, he can play as a left attacking midfielder, right attacking midfielder and he can play as a nine — very, very well I think,” Arteta told the media.
Some facets of Smith Rowe’s game lend themselves well to a center-forward role.
The 21-year-old has a fantastic touch and finishing ability, and he understands the sort of runs he has to make in the box.
He can also finish with either foot, with his stronger right scoring one more Premier League goal (six) than his weaker left (five).
It was the same thing for Arsenal’s u23s/u21s, as well as those on loan at Huddersfield. Smith Rowe has actually scored more club goals with his left foot (14) than his right foot (14) since the u21s (13).
Smith Rowe isn’t spmeone who scores with his head. In 125 appearances for the u21s and upwards, he has not scored a single headed goal for club or country.
Playing with his back to goal and defending a defender also doesn’t play to his talents, which are more focused on sprinting at defenders.
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