The only 21 year old Emile Smith Rowe is not having a great 2022 until now. Emile has just two goals in his last 18 appearances in 2022. Yet over the whole season he is ninth in the PL when it comes to the key attacking statistic of time between goals or assists. He is more ‘goal-involved’ than Bruno Fernández, Zaha, Bowen, Saka, Pepe, Maddison and Kane to name but a few.
We know what Emile is capable of and what stood out in particular this season is the timing of his runs towards and in the box and his extremely cool finishing. Emile has an eye for goal and the nerves to deliver. He also has a good eye and foot for a key pass, and he is just still so young!
Ye he has not been anywhere near as effective since January. In fact, he looked out of place v the Barcodes, chasing his own shadows at times.
So what could have caused this?
A) The departure of Auba?
B) The injury to Tierney?
C) Simply a lack of form or confidence?
D) Role overlap and thus confusion with Odegaard’s role?
E) Injury to Partey, perhaps?
F) Have opponents ‘found him out’?
G) Another reason?
Let’s debate.
By TotalArsenal
Bergkampesque 