Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta is delighted with the recent impact of Emile Smith Rowe.
With results poor during December, Arteta turned to the academy graduate for the Boxing Day visit of Chelsea and was rewarded with a strong showing in a 3-1 win, which was backed up three days later at Brighton with a second fine display in another victory.
The consecutive starts were only Smith Rowe's second and third in the Premier League and, ahead of a potential fourth on Saturday at West Brom, he has been praised by his manager.
Arteta said: “He is a player that I really liked since the first day I watched him. Just the way he moves, how intelligent he is with the positions he takes and his work rate – don't underestimate that.
“He works really hard for the team and he had a really bad injury this year and hasn't really trained with us at all.
“For the last two weeks he has been much more involved and you can see what he can bring to the team. I am delighted to have a young player with his talent and in that position. It was something that we needed."
