Arsenal & Fulham managers say the same thing about Emile Smith Rowe | OneFootball

Marco Silva and Mikel Arteta agree that Emile Smith Rowe is still searching for consistency at the top level, despite clearly having the talent to be a great player.

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Emile Smith Rowe is set to make his Emirates Stadium comeback on Tuesday night, as his new club Fulham travel to face his old club Arsenal.

It won’t be the 24-year-old’s first game against the Gunners, as he already featured in the 1-1 draw between the two sides in November. But it will be his first game at the Emirates not wearing an Arsenal shirt.

Talking about how the players has got on so far since his move, Fulham boss Marco Silva admitted it hasn’t all been positive.

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“Some up and downs,” Silva said on Monday about Smith Rowe’s season. “It doesn’t surprise us for a player that was not playing enough football for the last two seasons.

“Of course, very good impact in the first months with us, very good pre-season impact…after the second international break he had a bit tough time, the December month was difficult for him.

“After that he had some good games, others not so good. He needs to find the right consistency in his game.

“I don’t have any doubts about the talent, the quality he has, but the Premier League demands so many good things from you.”

Photo via FulhamFC.com

Mikel Arteta was also asked about Smith Rowe in his own press conference, and he had a similar answer. The Arsenal manager praised his former player’s quality but suggested the consistency hasn’t been there yet.

“He’s got all the attributes to become a top, top footballer,” Arteta said. “That consistency, especially with us, he was unable [to find], especially in the periods he had injuries. But tremendous quality.”

From an Arsenal point of view, Arteta will be hoping Tuesday isn’t the night that Smith Rowe starts to find a consistent run of form.