Press conference

'Smith Rowe? He makes things happen'

Emile Smith Rowe staked his claim for a place in our squad to face Burnley with another eye-catching display in the Europa League.

A scorer against Rapid Vienna a week ago, Smith Rowe started on the left of a front three against Dundalk and gave the Irish side problems all night.

 

Smith Rowe's interplay with Ainsley Maitland-Niles was especially strong and Arteta liked what he saw.

 

"He hasn't played many games and he's playing in a position that doesn't suit him perfectly with his qualities," noted the manager.

 

"But you can see that every time he is around the ball, something is going to happen. He has a lot of creativity, he's a player who has the quality to receive the ball and do things in areas where there are high-value spaces after it gets opened.

 

"He's a threat and I'm really happy with his performance."