Smith Rowe opens up on Arteta, the Arsenal ‘family’ and growing as a player and person

From a shy young man who didn’t believe in himself to wearing the No. 10 shirt for Arsenal and playing for England, Emile Smith Rowe has come a long way in a short space of time.

He owes a lot to Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, who is always looking for creative ways to improve his players, whether that be on the training ground, on matchday or during a conversation in the cafeteria.

When asked if Arteta’s door is always open to his players, Smith Rowe said the Spanish manager is a particularly excellent communicator on the pitch, but he will always welcome players into his office.

“Maybe he communicates better on the pitch,” the England midfielder told Football365. “I can say from last season, all the players will say he communicates better on the pitch, always helping us improve.

“In terms of his door being open, anyone can speak to him when they want. He’s always open to speaking to the players and he wants to help us as much as possible. I don’t think the players feel they can’t go and speak to him. We can speak to him whenever we want. But maybe he would rather we spoke to him on the pitch.”

Smith Rowe has only just turned 22 years old, but he has spent time on loan in Germany and in the Championship, and he cited the second tier in England when explaining how he has developed into the player and person he is today.

“When he (Mikel Arteta) first came to the club, I went on loan to Huddersfield,” the England playmaker explained. “He brought me into the office and said he wants me to go and gain some experience with the first team at Huddersfield and come back as a man because he could see I was shy at the time and not confident in myself.

“When I came back after that I felt so much more confident in myself and he pulled me in again and said I’ve come a long way.

“In terms of qualities, he is very good with the young players. He guides us and speaks to us individually, helping us on the training pitch individually as well. For a young player that’s what you want.”

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Arteta has had a difficult time as Arsenal boss, despite steering his side to an FA Cup win in his debut season as a professional manager.

The Spaniard turned to Smith Rowe during an injury crisis in 2020/21, and he never looked back.

The player’s amazing form saw him rewarded with a new contract, as well as the No. 10 shirt, and as an Arsenal fan who came…