Emile Smith Rowe had a season to forget despite Arsenal's progress into title contenders - and his latest tattoo shows what he really thinks about boss Mikel Arteta's project

Arsenal fans have been left baffled by Emile Smith Rowe's new tattoo after the star opted for Spanish wording in his latest design.

The 22-year-old, who hails from Croydon, south London, has endured a frustrating time at Arsenal of late as injuries hampered his season while his team-mates pushed Manchester City hard for the title. Smith Rowe underwent groin surgery back in September and failed to force his way back into Mikel Arteta's side on a regular basis.

He made 14 appearances over the whole season but none of those were as a starter, while his bit-part role led to suggestions he could move on this summer. Yet it appears Smith Rowe is more than confident in boss Arteta and his role at the club, at least judging by his new inking.

TikTok account @astartattoos featured Smith Rowe on one of their most recent videos as he displayed his fresh artwork. In fairly chunky writing over his left hip bone, he got the words 'confia en el proceso' which is Spanish for 'trust the process'.

Arsenal fans were quick to air their views, with one questioning: "what is going on?" One branded the tattoo as "wild" whilst another declared "this can't be real." Others suggested Smith Rowe got the new tattoo in order to stand a better chance of starting matches, as one joked: "He’s Arteta in for real."

ESR getting ‘Trust the process’ in Spanish inked

What is going on 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/OFI69PC4Ke

— Walid Arsenal ⚽️ (@1Walid1) June 3, 2023

Arsenal fans have had to put their trust in Spanish coach Arteta after he weathered a tumultuous start to his reign as manager to come out the other side and turn his side into genuine title contenders. How much Smith Rowe will be involved in the next stages of Arteta's plans remains to be seen, though he can have reason to be optimistic.

Speaking after Arsenal's title hopes had already bit the dust, Arteta said: ""I have to be critical of myself. My job is to get the best out of 24 players we have available and I haven’t been able to do that. There are three or four I would say that still have huge potential but for different reasons, they haven’t been able to do that [this season].

"Whether it’s injuries or game time or whether it’s because I haven’t had the opportunity or I have decided not to play them enough."

Smith Rowe no doubt falls into that category, given he was back ready and available from January onwards but struggled to get a game. He was even substituted on against Bournemouth in the first half before being subbed off again in the second. The arrival of Leandro Trossard also didn't help his chances of selection, and the prospect of new signings this summer could hamper his chances further.

Yet it would be a mistake to overlook what Smith Rowe brought to the side prior to his injury woes. It was his introduction to the team, along with Bukayo Saka's emergence, which kickstarted Arsenal's new era. Smith Rowe was on the brink of an England call-up and his form earned him a new long-term contract, as well as being entrusted with the coveted no.10 shirt at the Emirates.

With a full pre-season under his belt, it promises to be a big campaign ahead for Arsenal and Smith Rowe, whose new tattoo is a clear indication of his thoughts on the direction both will be going.