Emile Smith Rowe is delighted with Arsenal's latest acquisitions of Kai Havertz and Declan Rice. The England under-21 star is relishing the added competitors within the centre of the park subsequent season as he enters a do-or-die stretch with the Gunners.

Smith Rowe was one among Arsenal's finest gamers in the course of the 2021/2022 season, bagging 10 targets within the Premier League alone. However, the final 12 months have been a totally completely different story with the Hale End academy graduate struggling for minutes resulting from a string of reoccurring accidents.

Arteta is hoping to transition the 22-year-old from a No 10 to a No 8 as a way to fill the boots of the departing Granit Xhaka however he should battle for a spot within the beginning lineup with new arrival Havertz, with Rice additionally coming in to take up minutes in midfielder. Yet Smith Rowe is not involved concerning the competitors and is as a substitute completely happy to see the crew including extra depth to his place.

"I see what happens and obviously it’s good for the club to add strength to the team," he instructed The Sun. "I feel like the additions we’re making are going to really help the team progress again.

"It’s actually thrilling so hopefully we are able to go one step additional subsequent season. Of course (it's additional competitors with Havertz's arrival), however that is soccer.

"You’ve just got to get on with it. I’ve got to keep working hard and it’s healthy competition. I’ve got to keep fighting."

Smith Rowe is at present out in Georgia taking part in for the England under-21s on the European Championships. He is the one member of the squad with a senior look to his title and performed with soon-to-be Arsenal man Rice for Gareth Southgate’s males in a 3-0 win over the Ivory Coast final yr.

Recalling how impressed he was by Rice's excellence throughout his first senior England camp, he mentioned: "I can’t speak highly enough of him. I remember my first camp and I was surprised with how good he actually was.

"He was the most effective in coaching. Just his stage, depth, technically, every part he was doing. An actual chief and nonetheless so younger. He was actually, actually good."

Arsenal had a £105million bid for Rice accepted by West Ham earlier this week, which is cut up right into a £100m base price plus £5m value of add-ons. Both golf equipment are at present discussing the construction of the deal - mainly the dates for the switch instalments - and it appears they could have come to an settlement with Rice's shirt lately being pulled from the West Ham membership retailer.