Smith-Rowe stats paint positive picture

Arsenal edged to a 1-0 Premier League win over Champions League finalists Chelsea last night - with young midfielder Emile Smith-Rowe providing further evidence that the Gunners are a better outfit when he's in their line-up. 

The England Under-21 international scored the decider early in the first-half, thanks in part to Chelsea counterpart Jorginho. The Blues' Italian midfielder played an errant back pass that Arsenal keeper Bernd Leno only just managed to claw off the line, but Emile-Rowe was on hand to turn home from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's cross.

Although Smith-Rowe has played 35 games across all competitions for Mikel Arteta's side this season - contributing four goals and seven assists - last night marked only the eighth occasion on which he has completed a full game in 2020/21. 

A closer look at how Arsenal have fared in the Premier League this season with and without Smith-Rowe is revealing, and suggests Arteta would be wise to keep faith with the 20-year-old attacking midfielder. 

As a quick glance at the chart above illustrates, Arsenal have won over 50% (10 of 18) of their Premier League games with Smith-Rowe in their line-up, as opposed to 40% without the midfielder. 

Perhaps the most glaring statistic is how more dangerous Arsenal are as an attacking force when the England U21 man features - Arsenal scoring more goals (32) in Smith-Rowe's 18 games this season than they have managed in 25 games without him. 

It has been a testing season for the Gunners - who move up to 8th in the Premier League after their win last night - but the emergence of young English talent like Smith-Rowe and Bukayo Sako offers something of a silver lining. 

Great team effort, Let’s finish strong 💪🏻 pic.twitter.com/Aly3FnNXdw

— Emile Smith Rowe (@emilesmithrowe) May 12, 2021