Mikel Arteta had a decent season at Arsenal since taking over in December. Despite the  Gunners finishing eighth in the Premier League, the campaign ended with the satisfaction of winning the FA Cup.

Arsenal also have plenty of promising talent coming to the fore for the first team. Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Joe Willock have all been in and around the squad this season and now Mikel Arteta has plans for another academy star to be integrated into the senior setup next term.

According to Football.London, Arteta is a fan of Emile Smith Rowe and he wants him around the first team instead of loaning him out next season.

The 20-year-old was on loan at Championship side Huddersfield last term, per Transfermarkt. He spoke with the Gunners hierarchy and they indicated that their expectation is for him to play a prominent role in the 2020/21 season.

Supporters of the north London side will likely be familiar Smith Rowe, as he has featured 12 times for the first team and scored three goals, per Transfermarkt. In the Championship at Huddersfield last season, the central midfielder impressed, scoring two goals and supplying two assists, whilst also averaging 1.5 shots, 1.5 key passes and 1.5 successful dribbles a game, per WhoScored.

These figures the potential that he has and highlights the confidence that he has in attacking from a central midfield position.

He could give Arsenal another creative option and, with the way that Saka has emerged to become a key player this season (highlighted by the fact he has now been given the number seven shirt), there is a strong chance that Arteta could get plenty out of Smith Rowe. He clearly has a lot of potential as he was in England's Under-17 World Cup-winning squad three years ago.

Arteta has also been worried about the financial struggles at the club and its impact on their transfers, so it bodes well that he is so excited by the prospect of Smith Rowe becoming the latest youngster to make waves in the Gunners' first team.

Gunners fans, can Smith Rowe become an Arsenal first team regular next season? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!