Smith Rowe has had a turbulent season to say the least after groin surgery, only featuring for 146 minutes in the Premier League for the Gunners and achieving one assist and no goals as of game week 37.

He has clearly fallen out of favour, with Arteta preferring Trossard and Vieira as substitute options for Xhaka, and Nelson or Trossard for Martinelli.

It can be easy to assume that he is no longer valued in the squad and could be set to exit the club during the summer transfer window, however, many do not believe that is the case. This Arsenal side has exceeded every expectation set at the beginning of the season, and with Martinelli and Xhaka both being available majority of the season, Smith Rowe’s opportunities have been sparse.

Furthermore, recovery after surgery is not always linear. It’s clear even in games that he featured in that he was a shadow of the player that was lighting up the premier league last season, looking tentative and in all honesty a little bit lost amongst players who know their role inside and out. It could be possible (and likely) that Arteta is managing his recovery as he did so with Martinelli after his knee surgery, which left him off the pitch for a similar duration of time and attracted similar headlines assuming Martinelli would not reach his potential and was not in favour.

It is hard to believe that Arsenal would be willing to sell one of their best academy products after an injury riddled season. The club clearly saw a long term future for him by giving him the adorned number 10 shirt, worn previously by the most prestigious of players like Bergkamp and Özil. It remains to be clear what role Arteta sees Smith Rowe playing in the future, but at the young age of 22, Smith Rowe clearly has far more to give beyond his injury woes and Arsenal would be incredibly bold should they make the decision to move him on in the summer.