Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta insists that young star Emile Smith Rowe will ‘100 per cent’ stay at the Gunners following interest from Aston Villa who have had two bids rejected for the midfielder
- Mikel Arteta is confident Emile Smith Rowe will stay at Arsenal this season
- The Gunners have rejected two bids from Aston Villa for their academy product
- Arteta added that Joe Willock ‘is in his plans’ after a great loan spell at Newcastle
Mikel Arteta insists Emile Smith Rowe will ‘100 per cent’ stay at Arsenal.
Arsenal have rejected two bids from Aston Villa for academy product Smith Rowe this summer and remain in talks over a new contract.
Villa offered £25m and then £30m for the 20 year-old attacking midfielder who is heading into the final two years of his Arsenal contract.
Arsenal have rejected two bids from Aston Villa for academy product Emile Smith Rowe
Mikel Arteta insists he’s ‘100 per cent’ confident that the Gunners will keep the midfielder
‘Without a question [I am determined to keep him],’ Arteta said following Arsenal’s pre-season defeat to Hibernian in which Smith Rowe scored their consolation.
‘He will stay here, 100 per cent.’
Asked specifically about Villa’s offers, Arteta added: ‘No comment.’
Arteta added that midfielder Joe Willock remains ‘in his plans’ going forward
The Spaniard was speaking after the Gunners’ 2-1 pre-season defeat against Hibernian.
One player who did not feature who has been linked with a move away is Joe Willock.
Asked about Willock, Arteta responded: ‘Well he (Willock) wasn’t involved today because he had a little groin issue. He trained yesterday really well but we didn’t want to risk him.
‘Joe is part of our plans, he’s our player and in the time that he is here we will try to make the most out of him. He had a great experience on loan. He was, I think one of the most important players for their survival.’
Willock had an excellent loan spell at Newcastle United last season scoring eight goals in 14 appearances for the Magpies.
Willock enjoyed a stunning loan spell at Newcastle with eight goals in 14 appearances
