Arsenal\u2019s 4-0 win over West Brom on Saturday night showcased another Emile Smith Rowe impressive performance in his third Premier League start in a row.<\/p>\n
Gunners\u2019 outcast and playmaker, Mesut Ozil, has had his butt on ice having not featured for the Gunners in a competitive fixture this season after being left out of the Premier League and Europa League squads named by Mikel Arteta back in October.<\/p>\n
It had looked likely that the former Germany international would be given a recall at the end of the month given the noticeable lack of creativity within the squad in their recent outings, causing the Gunners to stumble and fall into a rut.<\/p>\n
However, with each passing game Emile Smith Rowe\u00a0is fast showing his mettle that he can be Arsenal’s heir apparent to the Ozil.<\/p>\n
And the German playmaker himself may have unwittingly given the seal of approval to his replacement at Arsenal. Immediately after Smith Rowe\u2019s impressive performance in the 4-0 win over West Brom on Saturday night, the exiled midfielder hailed the 20-year-old as the “difference maker” at the Hawthorns as the Gunners made it three victories in succession.<\/p>\n
“Nice game my boys!” Ozil tweeted. “Great spirit – 3 wins in a row.<\/p>\n
“Team looks good with a No10 like Emile Smith Rowe – the difference-maker.”<\/p>\n
With the overnight turnaround, the Gunners have suddenly gone from potential relegation candidates to being six points off the top-four in the three games Smith Rowe has started in.<\/p>\n
Playing in the number 10 role, the youngster\u2019s impact has certainly helped turn the Gunners’ season around, with his two assists in just three appearances already matching Ozil’s tally from last season further proof that Arsenal have already found the perfect replacement for the 32-year-old.<\/p>\n
To give credit where it is due, Ozil has been an inspiring role model to young Smith Rowe, who has this to say of the German:<\/p>\n
“At Arsenal, I look up to Mesut Ozil a lot. I watch him in training and the movement he has and the little touches he does. For me to train with him every day, I can\u2019t think of anything better.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"