The Arsenal duo internal battle that is proving crucial for Mikel Arteta's Champions League push

The competition between Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe is benefitting all parties involved. The two players’ goal contributions are proving crucial to Arsenal’s top-four chase.

Both players are constantly being rotated by Mikel Arteta if one of the pair has a disappointing performance. That has worked in the last three matches as the Gunners claimed nine points, which had not been expected.

Smith Rowe and Martinelli had goal contributions in two of the last three games against Chelsea, Manchester United, and West Ham. Without the competition on the left-hand side, Arsenal’s attack would be less threatening to the opposition defence.

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With both players yet to reach the age of 22 it means that they’re still very young and have a lot of development awaiting them. This also leads to inconsistent performances at times which is why it is crucial they are given time out of the firing line.

Smith Rowe and Martinelli have been battling it out for a starting role on the left-hand side for the majority of this season, and they are both benefiting greatly. The youngsters are having their best seasons in terms of their goal outputs, and their performance levels.

Smith Rowe has been pivotal for Arsenal this season. The Hale End star has become the fourth Arsenal player under the age of 21 to score in three straight Premier League games, the previous three being Nicolas Anelka, Jose Antonio Reyes, and Cesc Fabregas.

The youngster initially set himself a target of 10 goal contributions this season. However, he managed to blow that target out of the water and it is a credit to his mentality to succeed as an Arsenal player.

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