Arsenal vs Villarreal: Emile Smith Rowe alongside Thomas Partey

Emile Smith Rowe Can Fulfill the Role of Thomas Partey’s Partner

Arteta got it horribly wrong in the first leg. It was asking too much of the players he selected to perform roles they’d previously been unfamiliar with. Most notably, Smith Rowe.

Operating as the centre-forward/false nine, the rest of the team weren’t in overly unusual positions: Pepe on the left, Saka on the right and Partey as the single pivot. Yet the whole balance of the side was thrown off, with the pressing from the front uncoordinated and the gaps between the lines too welcoming for Villarreal to play into.

Ceballos’ role in that wasn’t carried out well, with the Spaniard getting caught out of position numerous times, unsure of his defensive duties in wide areas and not knowing which spaces to occupy.

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Asking Smith Rowe to assume this role would, again, be altering the system to a perhaps too varied degree. However, he has operated in deeper roles previously and drifting into the wide left berths has become an effective trait of his – so much so he’s regularly featured on the left wing this season.

What it would do is compromise central stability, since Smith Rowe is not a physically strong operator. Ceballos isn’t either, but his defensive stats in that area are more encouraging than most.

Arsenal have to score, though. One goal may not be enough as the nervousness that permeates the Emirates air doesn’t bode well for their hopes of keeping a clean sheet. The 20-year-old is an excellent counter-pressing option – usually higher up the pitch, admittedly – and works hard tracking back, so there is scope for his inclusion there.

When Martin Odegaard signed one of the midfield dynamics that opened up was the potential of two No. 8’s either side of Partey as the single pivot. It was utilised briefly away at Aston Villa where Smith Rowe had the Norwegian to his right and Partey at the bottom of the ‘V’ shape.

In terms of balance, ensuring both Odegaard and Smith Rowe are on the same page is essential to this ploy working, with who moves up when the other drops off, although that responsibility may fall primarily on the Ghanaian’s shoulders.

It’s attacking and risky, placing so much emphasis on Partey dominating that area of the park as he has done previously, but allows Odegaard and Smith Rowe to receive the ball in tight spaces and evade the sluggish midfield duo of Dani Parjeo and Francis Coquelin, who are expected to start.