During Monday night’s Under-21 match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had high comments for Emile Smith Rowe and Jakub Kiwior
During Monday night’s Under-21 match, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta had high comments for Emile Smith Rowe and Jakub Kiwior.
Following Saturday’s victory against Leicester City by the first-team Arsenal squad, all eyes were on the young Gunners. On Monday night, Chelsea’s Under-21 team hosted Arsenal’s Under-21 team, and Arsenal lost, 1-0, thanks to a goal from Leo Castledine.
Yet, Arsenal won’t exactly be able to relax after this defeat, and the team did have some bright spots. Jakub Kiwior, a defender, and Emile Smith Rowe, an offensive playmaker, both got the nod to start the game.
Since joining the club in January from Spezia, neither Smith Rowe nor Kiwior has played in the Premier League due to injuries. With just 45 minutes of play experience under their belts, both players were taken off at halftime.
With the hope of making the Arsenal team, even if only for the season, this half-game participation was crucial for both players.
It won’t be easy, especially as Kiwior is seeing Gabriel Magalhaes, another left-sided central defender, flourish in Arsenal’s starting lineup. Despite his obvious potential, Smith Rowe has yet to make a Premier League starting lineup this season.
Under-21 playing time will help the Hale End star return to form. Both have the potential to play a significant role in Arsenal’s quest for the Premier League title.
Manager Arteta has already addressed both players as Arsenal prepare to face Everton on Wednesday. Arteta told Football London that both Kiwior and Smith Rowe played “very nicely” against Chelsea.
The Spaniard thinks both players will be crucial for Arsenal in the next games, suggesting they might make their debuts shortly.“Really good. Obviously, they needed some minutes and at the moment they haven’t had much exposure to different situations. It was great to see them on the field because we’re going to need them in the next couple of games,” said Arteta.
