Out of favour Arsenal star ‘adamant’ he wants to stay

Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly “adamant” on staying at Arsenal, despite his limited involvement over the past year.

The English attacking midfielder came through the Gunners’ Hale End academy and became a key first-team player during Mikel Arteta’s early days as Arsenal manager.

However, his role has been diminished significantly since the beginning of last season. Smith Rowe has mustered just 104 Premier League minutes this campaign, while that tally stood at just 161 in 2022-23.

The summer arrival of Kai Havertz has pushed Smith Rowe down the pecking order further, while Leandro Trossard was even used in midfield during Arsenal’s win over Wolves on Saturday.

Despite his extremely limited role at Arsenal, Smith Rowe is reportedly keen to earn his place back at the Emirates Stadium. Aston Villa have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old, but the Englishman reportedly wants to stay at the Emirates.

What has been said?

Transfer journalist Dean Jones has confirmed that staying at Arsenal is Smith Rowe’s priority as things stand.

He has revealed to GiveMeSport: “Smith Rowe to Villa would be an interesting one to test out because he’s still not getting a look in at Arsenal.

“Because of the level that Villa have elevated themselves to, I think that that might have a bit of a different look at it if you were somebody like Smith Rowe, who’s on the fringes and knows he’s not going to become a big part anytime soon of what’s going on at Arsenal.

“He could look across at Villa and think it’s pretty exciting. He could be a bigger part of it there than at the Emirates. So, it would be enticing for the player at some point.

“He seems adamant that he wants to stick this out at Arsenal, but it will come to a point where he will have a decision to make, and a team like Villa might be the one that proves to tempt him.”