Arsenal: What’s the hold-up with Emile Smith Rowe?

Emile Smith Rowe looks like he may be sent out on another loan rather than stay at Arsenal, but what exactly are we waiting for?

Maybe I’m spoiled by Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka, but I’m now used to youth products hitting the Arsenal first team and taking flight. Just like that, with a snap of the fingers. Both Martinelli and Saka did it, but Emile Smith Rowe hasn’t found it quite so easy.

The big opportunity from Smith Rowe came in Freddie Ljungberg‘s last match in charge, away at Everton. He was given the start at the No. 10 role, and while he definitely looked a bit over-eager at times, he also looked damn talented.

Since then, he hasn’t made any starts, he’s made zero impact, and now he’s rumored to be going out on loan again.

The 19-year-old went out on loan to RB Leipzig at this time last year, but an injury kept him from making much of an impact. Though the German side did express an interest in purchasing the youngster, or at least prolonging the loan.

More from Pain in the Arsenal

• 3 standout players from 1-0 victory over Everton
• 3 positives & negatives from Goodison Park victory
• Arsenal vs PSV preview: Prediction, team news & lineups
• 3 talking points from Arsenal’s victory at Goodison Park
• Mikel Arteta provides Gabriel Martinelli injury update after Everton win

Instead, he returned to the Emirates. With Mesut Ozil falling down a rabbit hole of irrelevance, we needed creative minds like Smith Rowe to take the mantle, but that continues to elude him in every possible way.

Now, with Dani Ceballos returning to the club, albeit likely in a No. 6 or 8 role, and not a No. 10, Smith Rowe may again find himself wondering where exactly he fits at the club.

The link to Hakim Ziyech and the accompanying rumors of a Smith Rowe loan make me think that the brains in charge don’t think Smith Rowe is ready. Still. But I wonder how much of that could be solved by letting Smith Rowe run the secondary competitions and getting a feel from there.

I wouldn’t call it worrisome, since he’s still young. I would call it disappointing, but again that might just be a byproduct of being spoiled by other teenagers in the senior set-up. Whatever the case, Smith Rowe is still here, he’s still ticketed for big things, and it’s just a matter of feeling confident enough to really invest that spot in him.

Another loan to the Bundesliga would be the best option. I would avoid English loans at all costs. Just ask Eddie Nketiah (or Serge Gnabry). Get him somewhere he can play. That’s all he really needs.