Arsenal is reportedly in the race to sign Declan Rice from West Ham as he continues to shine in the Premier League club.
The midfielder is one of the finest players in his position, and several EPL sides want to add him to their squad, prompting Arsenal to join the race for his signature.
The former Chelsea trainee did well for England at the World Cup and seems set to take the next step in his career by leaving West Ham.
A report on Ficajes.net says Mikel Arteta has added him to his shopping list and the Spanish gaffer wants the English midfielder to be a part of his squad next season.
Just Arsenal Opinion
Rice has been one of the superb players in the Premier League for some time and will do well if he moves to the Emirates.
However, adding him to our squad will cost a lot of money, considering he has many suitors and West Ham usually does not want to sell their best men.
However, if we can convince him about a move across town to north London, we could have a top talent on our hands if he joins us.
[DON’T MISS] £50k-a-week star ‘looking at FA Cup’ for injury return at the Emirates
Arsenal attacking midfielder Emile Smith Rowe ‘will look to the FA Cup’ as he targets a return from injury, journalist Ben Dinnery has told GiveMeSport.
The 22-year-old has been sidelined since the beginning of September after requiring surgery on a groin problem but appears to be finally closing in o a return to first-team action.
Arsenal injury news – Smith Rowe
Football.London previously reported that Smith Rowe returned to training at London Colney last month but suffered a setback before the return of Premier League football on Boxing Day.
Since missing a handful of sessions over the festive period, he has made positive strides and there is hope that he could make his return to full training imminently.
The midweek clash at home to Newcastle United came too soon for Smith Rowe, though, yet Mikel Arteta stated that he has made ‘big steps’ ahead of the previous encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion.
“He’s made big steps in the last week,” revealed Arteta. “He took part in some training sessions and looked good. We’re hoping to have him back soon.”
Arsenal travel to League One Oxford United on Monday evening in the third round of the FA Cup, and it could be the perfect time to ease Smith Rowe back into the fold.
What has Dinnery said about Smith Rowe?
Dinnery has informed GMS that he believes Smith Rowe could be one of several Arsenal players targeting the trip to the Kassam Stadium to get some ‘competitive minutes in his legs’.
He said: “The more opportunities he has to train with the squad, the closer he is to pushing himself to nearing that first-team return.
“And like I say, he’s potentially one of those players that will look to the FA Cup and use that maybe as an opportunity to get those first competitive minutes in his legs for the first time in a long time.”
How big a loss has Smith Rowe been?
Smith Rowe, who earns £50,000-per-week, enjoyed a real breakout season for his boyhood club last term, registering 11 goals and two assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.
The England international lost his starting spot on the left-wing to Gabriel Martinelli towards the backend of 2021/22, but he was still a vital member of Arteta’s squad.
In the current campaign, though, Smith Rowe has been limited to just four substitute outings in what has been a very frustrating season.
With Gabriel Jesus and Reiss Nelson also on the treatment table, Arsenal’s attacking options are very limited at this moment in time, and Arteta will surely be desperate for Smith Rowe to make his comeback as soon as possible.
SOURCE: justarsenal.com, givemesport.com
