Arsenal are set to face Liverpool in the EFL Cup semi-final on Thursday.
Ahead of the game head coach Mikel Arteta has talked to the press and was asked about Emile Smith Rowe and his game time.
The England international has lost his place in Arteta's starting lineup recently and when asked what Smith Rowe has to do to gain his place, Gunners boss said:
"The reason that happened is because he wasn’t fit. Nothing else. His performances when they’ve been fit have been extraordinary. I think the importance he has in the team is without a doubt really positive.
"But he’s had an issue he’s been carrying which has affected his ability to train, his ability to compete, the amount of minutes we can give him, and we are trying to get that situation resolved as quick as possible because we need the best version of Emile for us to be successful."
Arteta also added:
"Yeah, but that takes the demands in every area, in every aspect to a completely different level. The moment you have more exposure media-wise, expectation-wise, you play with the national team, you go to the national team and you score, you are scoring frequently, then the demands, the loads, the stress, everything is higher and you have to cope with that.
"People think that is easy to do but it’s not easy to do. And then you have to start playing 60, 70 games and playing (that many games) pain-free, it just doesn’t happen in elite sport and you have to start to live with that."
Source -
football.london
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