Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has been slammed for showing unwarranted favouritism towards summer signing Kai Havertz over academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe.
Smith Rowe has struggled with injuries but finally made his return in the Gunners’ 1-0 win over Brentford in the third round of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night. It was his first start in 499 days following a frustrating 2022/23 season which saw him play just 195 minutes across 14 substitute appearances.
He played alongside Havertz in a much-changed side at Brentford, but will face plenty of competition for the starting line-up to face Bournemouth in the Premier League on Saturday. Havertz joined Arsenal in a £65million transfer from Chelsea in the summer and is yet to score or provide an assist in nine appearances.
Arteta was keen on the signing of Havertz and former Tottenham striker Darren Bent believes his judgement has been clouded by his desperation for the move to be a success. The Arsenal manager has urged caution with Smith Rowe – and Bent believes his comments have been unfair.
“I don’t get it, and Arteta came out with something the other day and it actually quite annoyed me when he said that it’s up to Smith Rowe to prove he can play at this level. What?” Bent said on talkSPORT. “It’s almost like Arteta has got a bit of a short memory. Listen, I love Arteta as a manager, but it was back to the 2021/22 season I think it was where his job was on the line.
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“He was struggling a bit and who were the two that carried him through? [Bukayo] Saka and Smith Rowe, he got 10 Premier League goals that season. Then the following season he had injuries and he’s been injury-hit ever since but the fact to say, to see if he can play at this level, that’s just crazy. I think if you’re asking me who I would rather play, Havertz or Smith Rowe, Smith Rowe every day of the week.” He added: “He’s he’s hell bent on making it work."
Kai Havertz played alongside Emile Smith Rowe at Brentford (Getty Images) HAVE YOUR SAY! Should Emile Smith Rowe start ahead of Kai Havertz for Arsenal? Comment below.
Smith Rowe was substituted after 82 minutes at Brentford and is unlikely to get the nod against Bournemouth, with captain Martin Odegaard coming back in. After the match, Arteta said the 23-year-old’s fitness needs to improve before he can play the whole match.
“Physically, he’s still not there to play 90 minutes, we have to bear in mind that we have four or five players in that field and that was big concern for us today in the line up because we have seven at Colney that are not fit now,” Arteta said. “We had to manage his minutes. His load has seen a big spike in the last two weeks as well, and he was struggling to finish the game, the same with Reiss [Nelson].”
Havertz has been named as a substitute in recent league games against Everton and Tottenham and will be hoping to reclaim his place in the side against Bournemouth. Although unbeaten, Arsenal are fifth in the Premier League, four points adrift of leaders Manchester City.
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