'Arteta does not trust him 100 percent' - John Ogu on why Arsenal star Smith Rowe is out in the cold

Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu has taken his support for Arsenal to another level by hosting an X space on Sunday evening, shortly after the Gunners registered a 1-0 win over Everton in a Premier League game at Goodison Park.

One of Ogu's goals as a footballer was to don the colours of Arsenal but that is unlikely to happen as he is nearing the twilight of his career at 35 years old. 

One of the topics he touched on during the X space was Emile Smith Rowe's lack of playing opportunities at Arsenal since the Hale End Academy graduate recovered from injury. 

The number 10 has not started in the Premier League since Arsenal's penultimate game of the 2021-2022 season. and was linked with a shock move to Chelsea in the final days of the summer transfer window but a deal did not happen. 

Smith Rowe is still out in the cold in the new season as manager Mikel Arteta has chosen not to utilize him off the bench in the first five games played by Arsenal in the top flight. 

Ogu is of the opinion that the Spanish football tactician has lost faith in Smith Rowe after his injury troubles and also believes Fabio Vieira is ahead of the England international in Arteta's pecking order of playmakers. 

"Players like Martinelli and Saka played a lot of games. At a point, they lost form towards the end of last season when we needed them the most but people don't want to admit that. That's where Arteta made a big mistake," Ogu stated. 

"If you are a player like Emile Smith Rowe that has not established himself in the team and then you get injured, managers will lose their trust in you. It doesn't mean you are not worthy to play or don't work hard but Arteta does not trust him one hundred percent.

"That's the only problem Smith Rowe is having now and again if you look at the players ahead of him, he has lost his place because of Fabio Vieira, who has shown flashes when he comes on.

"Smith Rowe needs to work hard. The FA Cup and League Cup are coming up, he'll play."

Ogu was a member of the Super Eagles squad to the 2013 Confederations Cup, where he played in three matches, and was also in the squads to the 2018 World Cup and 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

Copyright ANS

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com