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Emile Smith Rowe: This has been the hardest season of my Arsenal career

Arsenal playmaker Emile Smith Rowe has opened up on his struggles in north London and admitted it's been a difficult campaign.

Smith Rowe's season interrupted by injury
Has struggled for game time
Reveals frustration at being sidelined

WHAT HAPPENED? The 22-year-old shone last season with the Gunners but has struggled with injuries in the current campaign and is yet to start a single match for Mikel Arteta's Premier League leaders. Smith Rowe admits it's been frustrating watching on from the sidelines.

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WHAT THEY SAID: "It's been tough man. Definitely the hardest season of my career so far," he told Sky Sports. "It's been frustrating but I'm happy with where the team are at the moment."

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Smith Rowe is now fully fit after undergoing surgery on a long-standing groin injury and will be hoping he can make an impact for the Gunners in the run-in. The youngster will face a battle to force his way into a highly-flying Arsenal team but Arteta has previously hailed his versatility and insisted he can play in midfield, out wide or even as a No. 9 for the Gunners.

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