Forgotten Arsenal star that could change Arsenal's season

Arsenal are preparing to face Southampton in the Premier League on Friday night, hoping to secure a win after two consecutive draws against Liverpool and West Ham. The Gunners will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the table over Manchester City to seven points. A win over the Saints would also guarantee Arsenal a top-four finish in the league this season.

Manager Mikel Arteta will be hoping for a comfortable victory over their relegation-threatened opponents ahead of their next game against title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad on Wednesday. The Gunners will be without William Saliba, who is still recovering from a back injury picked up last month against Sporting Lisbon.

Midfielder Emile Smith Rowe has been a forgotten figure in the current campaign after undergoing groin surgery. Since January, he has played just 68 minutes of Premier League football and was left on the bench for the recent draws against Liverpool and West Ham. However, Arteta has revealed that Smith Rowe remains a key player in his plans for the future.

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“He’s pushing, and in football what you did a year ago, a month ago is not important, it’s about what you do now, what you do yesterday and what you do tomorrow,” Arteta said. “The player has to have that mindset and the contribution has to be now to the team has to make us better and to make us win games. He’s very close.”

Despite Smith Rowe’s recent lack of playing time, Aston Villa are reportedly ready to reignite their interest in the midfielder in the summer transfer window.

Emile Smith Rowe has returned to Arsenal from his loan spell at Huddersfield Town and impressed

The Midlands club, now managed by former Arsenal manager Unai Emery, are looking to reunite Smith Rowe with his former boss. The 22-year-old made his Arsenal debut during Emery’s tenure in the 2018-19 season, and scored 11 goals in 37 games for the Gunners last season prior to his injury.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal would be willing to sell Smith Rowe, who is seen as a key player for the club’s future. The Gunners will be hoping that Smith Rowe can play a role in securing a win against Southampton, with the young midfielder eager to prove his worth to Arteta and the Arsenal fans.