Emile Smith-Rowe has similar attributes to Samir Nasri at Arsenal… the days of Aubameyang on the left are over
AFTER a fabulous win over our North London rivals, the role and performance of Martin Odegaard is rightly receiving high praise from both the manager and fans. But what I am keen to highlight is how the Norwegian’s place in the team is positively influencing others, most notably Emile Smith Rowe. Many of us – […]
AFTER a fabulous win over our North London rivals, the role and performance of Martin Odegaard is rightly receiving high praise from both the manager and fans.
But what I am keen to highlight is how the Norwegian’s place in the team is positively influencing others, most notably Emile Smith Rowe.
Many of us – myself included – wondered how shunting the ‘Croydon de Bruyne’ out to the left to accommodate the new arrival would play out, particularly given how well he had been playing since Christmas.
Indeed, I ran a Twitter poll leading up to Sunday’s derby asking who should start centrally – Smith Rowe or Odegaard – with 54 per cent choosing the young Englishman.
But I guess that is why Arteta is paid the big bucks as he has insisted from day one that he thought the two creative players could work in the same team.
And the reason he is correct is quite simple.
Smith Rowe, Odegaard and Bukayo Saka are three like-minded players, all of whom move the ball quickly, possess creativity and crucially have an outstanding work ethic.
As a result of the rise of this trio, I think the days of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang being used in the left are over.
Along with Auba, Nicolas Pepe needs to adapt or become content with being an impact substitute.
Any lingering concerns we might have had about a lack of natural width with Saka and Smith Rowe as wide players must now be pushed aside because the full backs will be allowed space to overlap.
The positive impact of the Smith Rowe-Kieran Tierney partnership was there for all to see on Sunday and in the Scot, we have the best left back in the division.
Smith Rowe coming in field allows the youngster to get on the end of cut-backs and I am sure he will start adding more goals to his game in the same way Saka has already.
Someone pointed out to me on Sunday that Smith Rowe was the closest player we have had to Samir Nasri in his pomp at Arsenal.
This comparison struck me on so many levels.
Smith Rowe has the same close control, ability to beat a man, superb work ethic, vicious shot, along with excellent vision and an eye for a one-two in and around the penalty area.
However, the truly interesting part is that Nasri, like Smith Rowe and Freddie Ljungberg, Tomas Rosicky, Alexander Hleb and Andrey Arshavin before, initially and perhaps always saw himself as a central attacking midfielder.
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But perhaps Arteta, like Arsene Wenger post-Invincibles, wants a team where behind the striker is an array of talented, skillful players who want to make things happen.
As long as they work hard and know their duties without the ball, fluidity, flexibility, and interchange will be encouraged in possession.
Perhaps the reason why such tactics never quite worked for Wenger towards the end was that he never replaced Gilberto or even a young Mathieu Flamini to marshal the midfield.
It will remain to be seen what the pivot is next season, but Thomas Partey and Granit Xhaka are working well at present and their discipline will allow the continued attacking width from Tierney beyond Smith Rowe and Cedric Soares or Hector Bellerin beyond Saka.
Nasri was only one year older than Smith Rowe when he arrived at Arsenal and in three seasons in the central creative role scored 18 Premier League goals in 75 appearances.
Then in his last season, where he played primarily out wide, he scored ten in the league.
I am sure in a team that has been lacking goals from midfield we would love to see Smith Rowe chip in with goals from a wider position.
And I have little doubt as he becomes more experience on the flank that the goals will come.