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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Simon Collings

Arsenal will not sell Emile Smith Rowe despite quiet season for academy graduate

Arsenal have no plans to sell Emile Smith Rowe this summer, despite his lack of football this season.

The 22-year-old missed the first half of the season after undergoing surgery on a long-term groin issue and in total played only 195 minutes in all competitions.

All 14 of his appearances came as a substitute and it was thought Smith Rowe could be sold as Arsenal look to help fund their transfer plans this summer.

But the Gunners have no intention of letting Smith Rowe leave and he hopes to play a more important role in the team next season.

Smith Rowe still has three years left on the contract he signed in 2021, when he was also given the No10 shirt.

He has been picked by England to be part of their squad at the European Under-21 Championship in Georgia this summer, and will hope to benefit from a full pre-season.

Arsenal want to add to their squad after pushing Manchester City close in the title race, but Mikel Arteta has admitted they also need to get more out of the players they have.

Smith Rowe falls into that category as he played just 195 minutes this season after being the side’s second top scorer the year before.

“I have to be critical of myself,” said Arteta.

“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 [this season].

“Whether it’s injuries or game time or whether it’s because I haven’t had the opportunity or I have decided not to play them enough.”

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