Arsenal: 3 primary tasks for Emile Smith Rowe next season

Emile Smith Rowe signing a new Arsenal contract is among some of the better news that will surface from this transfer window. Securing the futures of the club’s best talents shares importance with bringing in new additions and none are more vital than the Hale Ender.

Across a dismal Premier League campaign, to have anything even vaguely encouraging emerge from the depths that those eight months plunged to speaks volumes of Smith Rowe’s talents.

His inclusion in the side coincided with Arsenal recording the third most points in the division from Boxing Day onwards, showing dashes of Tomas Rosicky and Paul Merson nestled between his own unique style.

It wasn’t as simple as including a No. 10 in the team. While that systematic alteration transformed the outlook of the side it nonetheless required the right person for the job. All indications are that Arsenal have that man for years to come.

Arsenal: 3 primary tasks for Emile Smith Rowe next season following new long-term contract and being handed the number 10 shirt

Handed the famous shirt number demonstrates an almighty show of faith. It also means the expectations are higher.

To be asking much more from a 20-year-old who for all intents and purposes has just six months of Premier League football under his belt may seem steep. Expecting prime Mesut Ozil levels in the next season isn’t an appropriate pedestal to aim for, but it is now upon Smith Rowe to take his game to a new level.

How much higher can he go? His ceiling is out of sight; his future whatever he wants it to be. All the ability is there and if he has his eyes set on legendary status, then it’s within his grasp.

But not yet. One must step before they leap. In the coming campaign there are three primary tasks for the Croydon-born lad to be setting his sights on. Achievable goals that will put him in good stead for the years to come.

1. Hitting the Gym

Given his age there is still more physical growth for Smith Rowe to come. Some players take longer filling out the shirt naturally.

He can help himself, though.

By no means a giant, there is still work to be done to improve his success rate in duels and challenges. Hitting the gym is where that starts, likely surrounded by Amazon cameras.

To his credit he already appears to have made inroads. Prior to pre-season being disrupted fans were treated to two 45 minute outings of Smith Rowe against Hibernian and Rangers, and even in the training videos uploaded prior it was clear he’d been bulking up behind the scenes.

It isn’t a huge critique of him since his dexterity and nimble mobility is one of his biggest strengths, yet he can be too easily brushed off the ball in 50/50 duels and adding power into his strides and tackles will elevate his game.