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£2.43m-rated ace has helped changed Arsenal’s fortunes after dismal run of form – Opinion

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Emile Smith Rowe, remember the face, remember the name.

Just three Premier League starts under his belt, however, it seems the Hale End academy product has definitively changed the way Arsenal play football. The Gunners are almost unrecognisable from the team that lost three league games in four with Mikel Arteta choosing to freshen up the starting XI by introducing the youngster.

So, just what impact has the 20-year-old had on the Gunners?

Should Arsenal replace Hector Bellerin?

Yes

No

Well for starters the £2.43m-rated Englishman isn’t afraid to get on the ball, averaging 33.7 touches of the ball already. And it seems he already has the ability to play the killer pass, averaging two key passes per game in just under 250 mins of league action.

However, Smith Rowe’s biggest contribution to the cause is how he finds space all over the pitch as displayed during the stunning win over West Brom. He was shown as playing an attacking midfield role in the formations, but, his heat map showed how he covered almost every inch of grass within the Baggies’ defensive third.

The England youth international’s contribution to the second goal on Saturday was an example of how he uses his passing and movement to cut open defences, and boy is it something to get excited by.

With the youngster just 20 years of age, he has the world at his feet and plenty of time to reach the top. His impact thus far has been quite sensational and the only issue as of right now is burn out. You’d hope Arteta does his best to keep the ace fit because, in all honesty, he’s the club’s best creator right now.

In other news, this European ace is not Arsenal’s first choice in this month’s transfer window.

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