Another win and a clean sheet arrived for Arsenal on Wednesday night as they comfortably saw off the challenge of relegation contenders Luton – despite Mikel Arteta making a number of changes to his XI.
The likes of Declan Rice, Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and others were not in the first eleven as Arsenal took on Luton. It was an easy win for The Gunners, as Martin Odegaard and an own goal proved to be enough.
The win sees Arsenal climb to the top of the Premier League with Liverpool in action on Thursday night. Jurgen Klopp’s side are expected to win as they take on a struggling Sheffield United side at Anfield.
Arteta chose to give the likes of Reiss Nelson, Thomas Partey and Oleksandr Zinchenko a run out in the side – as well as Emile Smith-Rowe. The 23-year-old was excellent, proving crucial in both Arsenal goals.
Arsenal could now decide to sell Emile Smith-Rowe
He won the ball back before finding Odegaard, who combined with Kai Havertz for the opener. Then, his cross was inadvertently turned into his own net by Daiki Hashioka. It’s been a tough spell for Smith-Rowe.
That was his third Premier League start all season, and only his first since January. He still won the man of the match award for his display, and Arsenal fans were delighted to see their no.10 in impressive form.
Given his lack of game time, England star Smith-Rowe’s long-term future is in doubt. The Standard claim that he is now expected to go – and it is ‘hard to see’ how he does not leave in the upcoming window.
Which club suits him best this summer?
Indeed, Smith-Rowe – descrbed as “exceptional” by Luton Town boss Rob Edwards – is about to enter the final two years of his contract at The Emirates. The report states he is expected to leave his boyhood club.
They also aim a nod in the direction of Arteta, who said Smith-Rowe is a “joy to watch”, but is hardly using him. The England attacker does have many suitors, and has done over the last couple of seasons.
Another Premier League move is on the cards for Smith-Rowe, potentially an initial loan with a view to buying the attacker in due course. It is unclear how much Arsenal would want for the £68k-a-week star.
A move to a club still in Europe, to a Newcastle or a Villa could make sense. He needs to go somewhere where he is going to play and get regular game time. One to keep an eye on before the summer window.