Arsenal midfielder Emile Smith Rowe produced an impressive performance in the 2-0 win over Luton Town on Wednesday night.
It was only the 23-year-old’s third start of the season, having struggled with injuries and for regular opportunities in Mikel Arteta’s side.
The Gunners boss brought Smith Rowe, Thomas Partey and Reiss Nelson back into the starting XI as the manager looked to utilise his squad during the final run-in.
It was a rare chance for the England international to prove himself in the team and Smith Rowe seized his moment.
The Arsenal academy graduate won back the ball to kick-start the move for Martin Odegaard’s opening goal before picking out Nelson, whose shot deflected in off Luton defender Daiki Hashioka for his team’s second goal.
Smith Rowe played with a point to prove and showed himself to be back at full speed in his first league start since away at Nottingham Forest in January.
After the important win at the Emirates Stadium, Smith Rowe posted pictures from the game on Instagram.
Arsenal teammate Jurrien Timber was among those in the replies, using a top emoji to describe Smith Rowe’s performance.
Gunners captain Martin Odegaard replied with applause and a heart emoji while striker Eddie Nketiah described Smith Rowe as “the best”.
Arteta was full of praise for the midfielder in his post-match press conference as Smith Rowe aims to play a bigger role in the Arsenal side at a crucial time in the campaign.
I love him as a player, he is a joy to watch,” Arteta said. “How he moves, changes direction and how physical he was today without the ball.
He went into duels and won a lot of them and was thinking with that killer instinct to play forward and make things happen.
When Emile is in that moment, it’s very difficult to stop him. Today he helped us a lot to win the game.”
