Emile Smith Rowe thanks Arsenal supporters after rare Premier League start - 'Been a tough season for me'

Emile Smith Rowe has thanked the support from the Arsenal staff and players after making just his third Premier League start of the season.

Smith Rowe played 85 minutes in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Luton at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night which saw the Gunners go top of the Premier League table.

The 23-year-old was involved in the build-up for Arsenal's opener as he took the ball off Luton's Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu in midfield to start an attack which was finished off by Martin Odegaard.

Smith Rowe has had two injury setbacks this season, a lengthy knee injury and a bruise on his ankle, which has seen him have a disrupted 2023-24 campaign.

However, the midfielder said he "really enjoyed" being back on the pitch for Arsenal from the start of a game.

"I really enjoyed myself tonight," he told TNT Sports.

"It’s been a long time since I started. It’s been a tough season for me. I was getting cramp after 50 minutes; it’s been a tough season. I haven’t played as much as I would have liked. We changed the team a little bit so it was good for some of the other boys that haven’t played so much this season.

"Maybe the performance wasn’t amazing, but we got the three points. It’s been a while since I last started. My last game was Nottingham Forest away. It was really important to keep a calm head and doing the good things, and I’m happy with my performance overall."

Smith Rowe thanked the supporters for getting behind him as he made his first start since a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest on January 30.

"It shows how strong our team is," he said. "Players can come in and put in performances which is good. We’re in a title race, so it’s hard to get minutes. I just need to keep working hard in training.

"Being at home with all the Arsenal fans really helped me. It’s better to play at home when you haven’t played in a long time and you get that support behind you.

"I’ve been getting so much support from the staff and the players. We’re a family in there and when you’re not playing everyone’s around you.

"I feel really at home and happy to start today. [The standing ovation] was amazing.

"I’ve been here since I was nine, so to have that coming off - second half, I don’t think I played great, I was tired - but it was really good to have support from the fans, even when I’m warming up and don’t come on.

"I always feel the support and it was amazing tonight for me."

- - -

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.