Many of Arsenal’s first team stars are currently away from the club representing their countries during the international break.

Emile Smith Rowe is one of the players who has remained at Arsenal’s London Colney training facility. 

The 3-cap England international was not called up to Gareth Southgate’s squad on this occasion, as he hasn’t been playing regularly for Arsenal. In fact, the attacking midfielder is yet to feature at all in the Premier League so far this season.

Smith Rowe has been named on the bench for all four of the Gunners’ league fixtures so far, but Mikel Arteta has not yet thrown the player into the action.

There is no doubting Smith Rowe’s raw natural talent, and in the past the 23-year-old has shown that he can shine at the highest level. However, fitness issues and the form of others in the Arsenal squad have seen the Hale End academy graduate fall down the pecking order and his opportunities have been restricted. 

Smith Rowe must seize international break opportunity

Smith Rowe needs to show in training that he deserves to be in contention for more regular game time. With no immediate games on the horizon and most of the squad missing, Smith Rowe will never have a better opportunity to impress Arteta in training than during this international break.

The £40,000-a-week ace needs to ensure that he is doing all he can to prove his worth and force his way into the Spanish coach’s plans. 

Smith Rowe faces a tough task in getting regular game time this season, with Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli, Leandro Trossard, and Fabio Vieira currently ahead of him in the pecking order. But with his finishing ability, willingness to run with the ball, and creative instincts, he does have the kind of attributes that would allow him to thrive in Arteta’s tactical set up. He must now earn the chance to prove his worth on the biggest stage.

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