Jamie Redknapp believes Emile Smith Rowe deserved the man of the match award from Arsenal’s win over Chelsea.
Smith Rowe scored the winner for the Gunners in their 1-0 win over the Blues as Mikel Arteta’s men kept their European qualification hopes alive.
Arsenal are now a point behind Tottenham, who currently occupy the UEFA Conference League spot, though Ryan Mason’s men do have a game in hand still to play.
The win against Chelsea was critical in keeping those hopes alive with just two games now remaining for the Gunners, and Smith Rowe was critical in helping them pick up those all-important three points.
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“I thought Smith Rowe was excellent today, he didn’t get man of the match but I thought he was the best player on the pitch. Everything he did, he did it with a purpose,” said Redknapp on Sky Sports.
“He played in a team that sat back and basically defended for the whole game, 32% possession, but I thought he was exceptional and he’s been like that all season, really.”
Meanwhile, Redknapp thought Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggled, despite providing the assist.
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“[Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang has ended up playing most of his football in the final third of his own half. He’s not doing anything with any purpose,” Redknapp added.
“You could see his frustration when he came off – I do not like how he reacted because his team are still winning 1-0. It’s not an easy watch, but they ground out a result and it does take time.
“The performances are not good enough from Arsenal’s point of view, but I feel bad saying it because they just picked up a crucial three points.”