Emile Smith Rowe is “all over the place” for Arsenal in a way Mesut Ozil never was, says Ian Wright, with the Gunners finding a playmaker on their doorstep that is capable of mixing graft and guile.
Mikel Arteta found himself crying out for a creative spark around Christmas as he reflected on a worst start to a season in north London since 1974-75.
World Cup winner Ozil had been frozen out of the fold, with Arsenal looking to move in a different direction with a rookie Spanish tactician calling the shots.
Editors' Picks
Plenty questioned the decision to omit a proven performer from domestic and continental squads, but a solution to the Gunners’ problems has been found.