Agbonlahor: Emile Smith Rowe ‘not good enough’ for Arsenal – ‘if Arteta had his way…’
Gabby Agbonlahor has insisted players like Fabio Vieira and Emile Smith-Rowe need to step up for Arsenal in their Europa League run.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Aston Villa striker said the Gunners will want to win the Europa League despite the battle at the top of the Premier League table.
Despite taking an early lead, Mikel Arteta‘s side were held to a 2-2 draw against Sporting in the first leg of their Europa League tie on Thursday (9 March).
They return to the Emirates for the second leg on 16 March as they attempt to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
Domestically, Arteta’s side are on course for their first Premier League title since the 2003-04 season as long as they can fend off Man City who are just five points behind.
When asked if Arsenal will still be focused on the Europa League given their league success, Agbonlahor told Football Insider: “I think it is really difficult.
“If you have got this far you have to really go for it in the Europa League.
“You set up a squad of players at the start of the season to use and if they are not good enough they should not be at Arsenal. The likes of Vieira, Smith Rowe have got to come in and prove that they are good enough to be part of the setup.
“If Arteta had his way he would love to rest his players and have them play the remaining Premier League games and not any other competition. But, if you come this far in the Europa League you want to win it.“
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