GOOD MORNING ARSENAL FANS
Emile Smith Rowe has signed a new long-term contract at Arsenal and has been handed the vacant No10 shirt.
The playmaker has already been the subject of two failed bids from Aston Villa, but the Gunners have always been confident of extending his stay.
Commenting on the news, boss Mikel Arteta said: “As we all saw last season, Emile is an intelligent player with excellent ability. His sharpness on the turn and exceptional vision have already made him a key player for us.
“His attitude and willingness to learn have also been very impressive. Huge credit to our team in our academy who have given Emile a great education and have worked superbly to help with his development through the age groups.
“Along with the first-team staff, huge credit also goes to our senior players, who have played such an important role to help Emile develop, gain confidence and perform the way he did last season.
“I know the fans will join us in being delighted that Emile has committed his future to the club.
“We’re now looking forward to helping him develop further and seeing him become even more important to the strong young team we’re building.”
Meanwhile, Smith Rowe has opened up on why he signed his new Arsenal deal.
He told the club’s website: “[Signing my new contract] means so much to me. I’ve been waiting for it, and to carry on playing for this club, it means so much to me and I’m so happy.
“I feel like I didn’t really have to think about it too much you know. I’ve been at the club since I was 10 years old, so for me it was just about carrying on at this club, so like I said, I’m really happy.”
And finally, Willian is set to become a ‘prisoner’ at Arsenal this season due to a lack of transfer interest in the winger, according to reports.
The Brazilian failed to fire for The Gunners last season with just one goal and five assists in 25 league games.
Mikel Arteta is happy to let him leave as a result but as yet no offers have been forthcoming.
And that is because of Willian’s astronomical £200,000 a week wages, report TuttoMercatoWeb.
Willian still has two years left to run on his contract and that means he could be unwilling to accept a deal elsewhere on less money.
