Arsenal insider claims ‘something’s going on’ between £33m star and Arteta as Villa eye swoop

Aston Villa have reignited their interest in Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe, according to reports.
The Villans were keen on signing Smith Rowe in the summer of 2021 before he penned a new long-term deal and was handed the No. 10 shirt.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a fantastic 2021-22 campaign, scoring ten goals in 33 Premier League matches as the Gunners finished fifth.
However, this season has been a very difficult one for the England international.
Smith Rowe has had his fair share of injuries during his career, and he underwent surgery back in September and has struggled for game time since returning.
He made his comeback in the FA Cup win over Oxford United in January, coming off the bench late on.
Smith Rowe is yet to make the starting XI for his club this season and the most time he has spent on the pitch was against Bournemouth last month when he came off the bench for Leandro Trossard in the first half before leaving the pitch with an injury 47 minutes later.
Now that he is fit again, the 22-year-old seems to be behind Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson, Eddie Nketiah and Trossard in the pecking order.
He has only played five minutes in April and has been an unused substitute in Arsenal’s previous three Premier League matches.
Although Mikel Arteta is probably easing the young midfielder back into his team, Smith Rowe will surely be frustrated to be warming the bench, especially with his side struggling on the pitch.
Speaking after Friday’s home draw to Southampton, transfer expert Charles Watts said he believes “something’s going on” with Smith Rowe.
“He could have played Smith Rowe [against Southampton],” Watts said on his YouTube channel. “Obviously, something’s going on with Smith Rowe at the moment.
“Arteta just doesn’t want to use him, for whatever reason – we don’t know what that is. Clearly [in] training, I don’t know, but he’s just not doing enough to impress.
“It’s frustrating because we know what Smith Rowe can do and I think that number eight role is perfectly suited to him. We saw it last season at times.”
And the player’s difficult spell has cast some doubt over his long-term future at the Emirates.
Smith Rowe’s contract does not expire for another three years and he is worth £33.6million, as per Transfermarkt.
Last week, talkSPORT reported that Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is keen on a reunion with Smith Rowe after handing him his senior debut during his time in charge of the north London club.
And Spanish outlet Fichajes say the Arsenal star is one of three players Emery has his eye on ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Villans head coach is apparently keen on signing Manchester City right-back Kyle Walker – who has recently been linked with AC Milan.
Another player Emery likes is his former player at Villarreal, Samu Chukwueze.
The report claims that Smith Rowe could be sold by Arsenal ‘to have more income to move in the next market’.
Former Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes Smith Rowe would be a great signing for the Midlands outfit.
“I think he’d be a top signing,” he told Football Insider.
“He wouldn’t be a starter, that’s for sure.
“But he’s someone who can come in and replace [Philippe] Coutinho when he leaves this summer, and also challenge [Emi] Buendia for a place.”
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