Arsenal gem is fast becoming the new Smith Rowe

It wasn’t a night to remember for Arsenal, but the club got over the line and secured their place in the semi-finals of the League Cup on Tuesday.

Sure, it took a penalty shootout for them to do so, but throughout the match, the Premier League and Champions League leaders were far and away the better team and should have won by a significant margin if they had their shooting boots on.

Therefore, it would be fair to say that there were more than a few starters who are usually on the bench, who should now be in contention to start on the weekend.

However, there was one glaring omission from the team, someone who surely now has to leave Arsenal to avoid becoming the next Emile Smith Rowe.

Which Arsenal stars have played themselves into contention?

Starting at the back, and if Piero Hincapie is out for the weekend, Myles Lewis-Skelly surely has to keep his place in the side.

Yes, there were a couple of moments when he lost the ball, but overall, the Hale Ender was calm, assured, and relaxed on the ball, and, more importantly, he once again demonstrated the passing and carrying abilities that make him such a special player.

Moving into the middle of the park, Mikel Arteta gave a rare start to Christian Norgaard, and the Danish international more than repaid his manager.

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The former Brentford captain played the full 101 minutes, and while he’s not as flashy as a Martin Zubimendi or as explosive as a Declan Rice, he brought a real sense of calm to the midfield.

For example, he took 87 touches, won three of four ground duels, made three clearances, won three of five aerial duels, recovered the ball eight times and wasn’t dribbled past.

Finally, after underwhelming from the start in recent weeks, Gabriel Martinelli rolled back the years against Crystal Palace and looked like the winger who took the league by storm in 22/23.

The former Ituano gem had Jaydee Canvot chasing shadows in the first half, and were it not for the knock he picked up towards the end of the first 45, he may well have been as dangerous after the break as well.

In just 59 minutes of action, the Brazilian completed three dribbles, created two big chances, played five key passes and won four of seven ground duels.

However, while Arteta gave several players the chance to prove their worth against Palace, he left out someone who could be at risk of becoming the club’s next Smith Rowe.

The Arsenal star in danger of becoming the new Smith Rowe

When Smith Rowe was first making his way in Arsenal’s first team, there was a lot of hope and expectation that, alongside Bukayo Saka, he’d be one of the club’s main men in the future.

After all, in his best campaign for the club, the 21/22 season, he racked up a sensational tally of 11 goals and two assists from 37 appearances.

However, injuries kept him from making a significant impact on the team over the next two seasons, and then, when he was finally fit, the team had moved on and were challenging for the title without him.

Eventually, when it became clear he wouldn’t play a significant role in the squad, he was sold to Fulham.

Now, while it isn’t going to go the same way, and we are really quite far from it happening in any capacity, it’s not hard to see Ethan Nwaeri going down a similar path.

After all, the “phenomenal” Hale Ender, as dubbed by former professional Stephen Warnock, was a hugely important part of the squad last season, scoring nine goals and providing two assists in 37 appearances, but can’t get onto the pitch this season.

In all, the 18-year-old has played just 446 minutes of first-team football this season, across 11 appearances, of which just three have been starts.

Therefore, with it clear that he won’t get much gametime as the season progresses, it would surely be best for all parties for the teenage sensation to leave in January.

Now, before the pitchforks and torches come out, he shouldn’t leave on a permanent, but a short-term loan to a team where he will get regular and essential minutes.

Doing this would massively help the youngster’s development and, hopefully, lead to more appearances at the Emirates next season and more chances to fulfil his incredible potential.

Ultimately, if Arteta isn’t going to pick Nwaneri this season, Arsenal should send him away on loan, even if it’s just to stop him becoming the next Smith Rowe.

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