Arsenal star youngster to begin contract negotiations

Youth academy products are pivotal to the success of any football club. Arsenal no different. They can come into the team, make appearances on the bench and push to take the next step into the starting eleven.

They can impress in fits and starts or eventually be sold for a handsome profit. While more rare academy players can also make an immediate impact and be assured to start every game when they’re fit.

Emile Smith Rowe falls into the latter category. Fans have been able to see glimpses of his quality over the past few seasons but since running rampant against Chelsea, he hasn’t looked back. David Ornstein of The Athletic reports that negotiations have begun between the club and Smith Rowe to offer the youngster a new contract.

Needless to say, the England U-21 international has earned the right to a new deal. And more. He offers a specific skillset that no one else in the squad does, creating space through delightfully intelligent runs, sprinting in behind, coming short and forcing the defense to turn in circles.

https://twitter.com/David_Ornstein/status/1386570821989249025

Arsenal star youngster to begin contract negotiations as Emile Smith Rowe nears extension

While more can be said of the player himself, the role of Edu and co. must not be overlooked.

Fans the world over have bemoaned the lethargic way Arsenal go about contract negotiations.  Youngsters with potential and established starters alike have moved away for free in the past. Average players have negotiated exorbitant bumper contracts. Recently, however, Arsenal have shown a more focused approach to securing their players.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli were tied down to new deals last summer and Folarin Balogun has just put pen to paper for an extension. Now Smith Rowe has been brought to the table. For a club as strapped for cash as Arsenal are, these young players have the potential to save the club millions in the transfer market. Truly, well over a hundred million.

Youngsters hungry for first team football and success will also boost the dressing room. The right balance between experience and youth is a delicate one, but one that must be achieved for a club to move forward. After Edu was able to get rid of some…shall we say, negative, influences in the January window, the camp was much the better for it.

Edu and co. have kept a solid momentum going as they build for the future. Long may it continue.