Pundit Gabby Agbonlahor suggests Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is not favouring midfielder Emile Smith Rowe in this current campaign.
Speaking on talkSPORT, pundit was speaking after Arsenal’s disappointing 2:1 defeat against Lens. Gabriel Jesus gave them well deserved lead in the first-half but Adrien Thomasson levelled the scoreline just 10 minutes later. Spurs target Elye Wahi scored the winning goal for the French outfit.
However, one of the biggest talking point was injury to Bukayo Saka who limped off the field in the first-half. He was always in doubt after taking a knock against Bournemouth last week.
Pundit Gaby Agbonlahor now suggests that Arteta didn’t use Emile Smith Rowe or Reiss Nelson after Saka’s injury concern. The Spaniard is currently opting to play his possible best eleven in this current campaign.
However, there’s also questions over Smith Rowe’s future at the Emirates as he failed to start a single game last season. He was strongly linked with a move away from club but the midfielder stayed at North-London.
Reflecting on defeat against Lens in Champions League, Agbonlahor said :-
“For one, he should have rested him [against Bournemouth] and two he didn’t even bring him off as the first sub when they were up 3-0.
“He didn’t even bring him off first. It’s like, know your games, Bournemouth, you’re telling me [Emile] Smith Rowe, [Reiss] Nelson, these squad players aren’t good enough to come in and get the result.
“You know you’ve got Champions League, you’ve got the biggest game of the season against Manchester City, where you’re going to need your strongest side.
“Your best chance to beat Man City with the injuries they’ve got and the players not available.”
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