Smith Rowe vows to ‘just go for it’ after ending 499-day wait for Arsenal start

Player says he has changed his mentality after previous doubts.

LOOK WHO'S BACK: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Brentford and Arsenal. Pic: Julian Finney/Getty Images

Emile Smith Rowe says he feels like a new man, ready “just to go for it” and not worry about things going wrong, as he reflected on his return to the Arsenal starting lineup in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win at Brentford.

The 23-year-old previously began a game for his club on 16 May 2022 in the Premier League defeat at Newcastle, representing a gap of 499 days, and it has been a testing period for him, to put it mildly.