Gunners Mikel Arteta has reportedly changed his stance on signing Real Madrid star Isco for Arsenal due to the emergence of Emile Smith Rowe.
The North London club had been strongly linked with a move for the Real Madrid midfielder and were said to be prepared to get into a deal this January. However, the impressive displays by youngster Smith Rowe may have changed Arteta’s stance on the situation.
Arteta has experimented with Smith Rowe in the number 10 role at Arsenal for the past three matches, and the Gunners have won all three games.
The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Championship side Huddersfield, even got a vote of confidence from none other than Mesut Ozil. The £350,000-a-week number 10, who has been frozen out at Arsenal, tweeted following the win over West Brom: “Nice game my boys! Great spirit – three wins in a row. Team looks good with a No 10 like Emile Smith Rowe – the difference maker.”
Spanish publication AS claims Arteta agrees with Ozil’s assessment of Smith Rowe, and that moving for Isco would be unnecessary at this time.
Arteta was recently asked about Smith Rowe’s performances. “He is a player that I really liked since the first day I watched him. Just the way he moves, how intelligent he is with the positions he takes and his work rate – don’t underestimate that,” said the Arsenal boss.
“He works really hard for the team and he had a really bad injury this year and hasn’t really trained with us at all. For the last two weeks he has been much more involved and you can see what he can bring to the team.
“I am delighted to have a young player with his talent and in that position. It was something that we needed.”
