Arsenal man has already made stance on future clear amid Newcastle United transfer links

Arsenal attacker Emile Smith Rowe is reportedly wanted by Newcastle United. The Toon Army are believed to be eyeing up a swoop for the England international this winter.

According to a report by Northern Echo, he has emerged as a ‘target’ for Eddie Howe’s side ahead of the January transfer window. He is currently struggling for minutes at the Emirates Stadium. Arsenal will have a decision to make regarding his future. He has played only twice in the league so far this term.

Speaking earlier this year, he delivered his verdict on his lack of game time: “I just want to be on the pitch,” he told The Times. “This (last season) was the hardest season of my career. It was tough, but we were in a title race and I understand the manager isn’t going to change the team if we’re winning every game. I just tried to stay positive and train as well as I could. The other players and Mikel were great with me, kept me feeling connected. But it was tough, a long season. I won’t lie.

“Arsenal are my club and I’m not going to give up until [Arteta] says he doesn’t want me. But that’s not the case. He wants me as part of the team and I want to fight for my place and get back in the team.”

Arteta had this to say in September: “Here he is incredibly popular. We all love him. It’s no different to what the people feel to what we feel about him. There’s been many reasons why he hasn’t started a match. He was out for a long, long time. He had a sequence of matches that he played with the national team, then he came in and didn’t participate.

“In the last two matches he’s played more minutes and tomorrow (against Brentford) he will have a big chance to show that he can play at this level and be a really important player for us.”

Smith Rowe has since made 109 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal and has chipped in with 12 goals. He has also had loan spells away in the past at RB Leipzig and Huddersfield Town to gain experience.