'I have changed my mentality' - Emile Smith Rowe opens up on Arsenal exile as he makes first start in nearly 500 days against Brentford

The 23-year-old midfielder was included from the off by Mikel Arteta in a Carabao Cup third-round clash with Brentford. That was Smith Rowe’s first inclusion in a Gunners starting XI since facing Newcastle in the Premier League back on May 16, 2022.

Smith Rowe has undergone surgery on a groin injury since then, before suffering a recovery in his setback from that operation, but did impress in England’s European U21 Championship triumph over the summer and feels mentally stronger after coming through the most testing period in his career. He told The Guardian: “I have changed a bit of my mentality … just to go for it. I have not really got anything to lose. I have tried to change that inside me. I used to have a lot of doubts. I used to question my confidence, at times. But now I am really strong. I am feeling really fit and I am taking that into now. The gaffer has really helped me with that. He was helping me through my injury and often pulled me for chats about how I can be mentally stronger. I tried to support the boys as much as I could when I couldn’t help them on the pitch. It was really tough but I am stronger now.”

Smith Rowe has reached the 100-appearance mark for Arsenal and is not overly concerned which position he fills for the Gunners heading forward. He added when asked if he would like to nail down a central playmaking post, with the No.10 jersey on his back: “No, not really. Being at a massive club like Arsenal, we know there is so much competition. It is always going to be difficult to cement your place in the team. It is just an extra push for me to keep working hard, keep fighting. I have just got to keep believing in myself.”

Smith Rowe has been used in a wide attacking role of late, but he faces fierce competition for places at Emirates Stadium from the likes of Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Reiss Nelson.