Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta says Emile Smith Rowe’s future at the club could be as a centre forward.
The England playmaker has mainly been used as an attacking midfielder and on the left flank this term.
Despite playing in midfield and being in and out of the side, Smith Rowe is Arsenal’s top scorer this season with ten goals in all competitions.
After Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure, Arteta has challenged his Arsenal side to share the responsibility of scoring goals as Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah are the only recognised strikers.
The Gunners are expected to spend big on a striker this summer but Arteta has hinted Smith Rowe could fill that void in the mean time.
‘He can play as a left winger, he can play as a left attacking midfielder, right attacking midfielder and he can play as a nine — very, very well I think,’ said Arteta.
The Gunners failed with a £67m move for Dusan Vlahovic in January, with the Serbian opting to join Juventus instead.
Arsenal then declined the opportunity to trigger Aleksander Isak’s release clause at Real Sociedad, with the club feeling £74.7m was too high a price to pay.
Everton ace Dominic Calvert-Lewin is another target.
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