Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, reflecting on Emile Smith Rowe’s move to Fulham, has admitted he regrets not getting the most out of the gifted midfield player.
Smith Rowe joined the Cottagers this summer from Arsenal for a reported £34 million after spending fourteen years with the club.
This had come just months after the Spanish manager had promised the 23-year-old plenty of opportunities to impress following two seasons of limited game time after a long-term injury.
Despite Arteta’s promise, the midfielder managed to feature for just 346 minutes across the entire Premier League campaign last year, making only three starts.
Mikel Arteta’s regret
Arteta, in a recent interview expressed that he wished he had utilised the 24-year-old midfielder more.
“‘First of all, I have huge gratitude because he came into the team at a tough moment,” Arteta said, as per Goal.
He continued, ”I think he was the player that made our supporters and the team click, in a way.
”I don’t know how to explain it, but that was my feeling.
”Something changed when he came into the team. He created a different energy straight away.'”
“I have a feeling like ‘argh’, that I have not got the best out of him. Obviously, a lot of things happened in that time.”
Smith Rowe is expected to start for Marco Silva’s side this weekend, and the 24-year-old will be looking to make a mark as he gets set for his second Premier League appearance
for the Cottagers.
