Author: Barkha Roy
Emile Smith Rowe, Arsenal’s promising midfielder, expressed his enthusiasm for the club’s summer signing plans and also praised the imminent arrival of Declan Rice from West Ham United. The 22-year-old, who has been recovering from a groin injury, is determined to compete for his place in the team, despite the arrival of the new signings.
Smith Rowe recently represented England at the European Under-21 Championship, where he showed his skills by scoring two goals. With the 2023-24 season approaching, he is eager to contribute more to Arsenal, despite speculation linking him with a move away from the club.
Recognizing the competition for playing time, especially with the signing of Kai Havertz from Chelsea for 65 million pounds, Smith Rowe remains determined to fight for his position. In an interview with The Sun, he emphasized the importance of healthy competition and the positive impact it can have on the team’s progress.
While Havertz’s arrival adds to the strength of the squad, Arsenal are also close to completing a 105 million pound deal for Declan Rice. Smith Rowe had the opportunity to train alongside Rice with the England first team and was impressed with the midfielder’s performance in the training sessions. He described Rice as the best player during his first training camp, praising his level of play, intensity, technical ability and leadership qualities.
As Arsenal continue to strengthen their squad, doubts are emerging about Smith Rowe’s role in the team. However, the young midfielder is open to playing in different positions and is willing to adapt to the team’s needs. He intends to talk to coach Mikel Arteta on his return to London Colney to discuss his future role.
Amid the ongoing negotiations between Arsenal and West Ham, the clubs have already agreed on Rice’s transfer fee. The final details regarding the payment structure still need to be finalized, and the two clubs intend to complete the deal before the pre-season tour of the United States, where Arsenal’s first game is scheduled for July 20.