Arsenal vs Bournemouth: Emile Smith Rowe’s pending debut?

Arsenal are low on attacking options off the bench, but if Emile Smith Rowe is going to play more, then why not start that bit off against Bournemouth?

With the injury to Danny Welbeck, the impending departure of Aaron Ramsey and the questionable reliability of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Arsenal are running a bit low on creative attacking talent. Iwobi, Ozil and Aubameyang are all going to be starting, meaning that, unless Unai Emery wants to turn to Matte Guendouzi as an attacking option, there isn’t much there.

Neither Ramsey nor Mkhitaryan are making a strong case for continued usage, and with the consistent need to influence a game late, it’s crucial that the Gunners find another option.

This goes hand in hand with the recent statements from Ray Parlour, about Emile Smith Rowe being destined to play more for the remainder of the Premier League season.

Smith Rowe has made five appearances in his debut season for the Gunners, all in midweek competitions. While he has been on the bench for several Premier League matches, he has yet to make his bow, but that may change soon.

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With Bournemouth on the docket, a team that will be aiming to take the fight to the Gunners, it may be prime time to cut the audacious young man loose and see what he can do on the big stage, with the big boys.

I wrote earlier in the week that the key things that Smith Rowe brings is the main thing that this club needs the most – innovation. In particular – dribbling. Mkhitaryan is supposed to be our dribbler, but that hasn’t exactly panned out, as he’s been somewhat of a train wreck thus far into the year.

Smith Rowe probably isn’t “ready” to be a Premier League regular, but how will we ever know if we don’t try? And while we’re on the subject, who is ever “ready” before they get onto the pitch and start the good old-fashion trial and error?

Smith Rowe has three goals in those five appearances with he senior team. The opposition may not be the “cream of the crop” but at the end of the day, you can only make the most of what is given you, and Smith Rowe has.

So get him into the starting XI, get him in front of the goal, and see if he can’t start shaking things up for this attack before we have to actually worry.