Arsenal star Emile Smith Rowe is now 'pain-free' after a torrid season full of injury problems and now could be set for a new role in Mikel Arteta's team. The Hale End graduate has played just 136 minutes of football for the Gunners this season but has returned at the perfect time for Arteta with the Gunners challenging for the Premier League title and Europa League.
Gabriel Jesus has joined Smith Rowe in returning to action this month after the Brazilian striker was sidelined with a knee injury for the past three months. The English playmaker's problems date back to pre-season where he missed the first game of the season after suffering an injury during preparations for the 2022/23 campaign.
It will take time for Smith Rowe to be back at his brilliant best following a lengthy rehabilitation period, hampered by setbacks along the way. William Saliba is perhaps the most pleased to see the 22-year-old return to training with the Frenchman saying in a clip from London Colney that circulated online last week: "The Smith is back!"
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Heading into the title run-in with key games against Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea still to come for Arsenal, Smith Rowe could play a key role for Arteta - but not in his usual position from the left-wing. Competition for places in the team has intensified following the arrivals of Fabio Vieira and Leandro Trossard.
Meanwhile, Gabriel Martinelli is thriving off the left in attack and Reiss Nelson has also impressed in brief cameos this season. Bukayo Saka's place in the team is set in stone and with Jesus' return to the squad, the Brazilian is likely to reassume his position at striker in the coming weeks.
Despite being the club's talisman last season alongside Saka, Smith Rowe may now find himself having to drop into midfield and learn a new role in the team. According to Sky Sports, since the end of last season he has been training as one of the two more advanced central midfielders in Arteta's reconfigured 4-3-3 system.
This could see him replace Granit Xhaka in midfield long-term and line up alongside club captain Martin Odegaard, just ahead of Thomas Partey in the defensive midfield role. Last term, Smith Rowe played in front of Kieran Tierney.
The Scotsman enjoyed overlapping on the wing to allow the 22-year-old to drift infield and impact play from a more central position. That zone is now occupied by summer signing Oleksandr Zinchenko, who often fills in alongside Partey during attacking phases, leaving Arsenal's left winger playing closer to the touchline.
This naturally suits the pace and direct approach of Martinelli who is having his best season in an Arsenal shirt - who has been rewarded with a new long-term contract that will see him stay at the Emirates Stadium until 2027. Smith Rowe's football intelligence and versatility are two of his biggest strengths.
His physical and technical capabilities, that once led Jamie Carragher to describe him as the 'best player in the Premier League when running with the ball', ensure he has plenty to offer in any role in which he is needed. His return has come at the perfect time and he is now fit and ready to make a positive impact and help Arsenal try to win their first Premier League title since 2004.
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