Smith Rowe must be patient, says Fulham boss Arbeloa

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Alvaro Arbeloa has reiterated that Emile Smith Rowe must be patient and wait for a recall to the Fulham side.

The former Arsenal forward has been left out of the past three matchday squads.

And with Josh King thriving in the number 10 position, questions are being asked about Smith Rowe’s future.

“I think, when you are a player like Emile, and you are not playing, you can’t be happy. And I think that is normal with Emile and with many of our players that are not playing,” Whites boss Arbeloa said.

“They are not getting the minutes that they want. But this is a situation that in football is normal and you need to come here every day and give your best and wait for your opportunity.

“He’s doing a good job. He has to be patient, to work hard, as he is doing.”

Arbeloa reiterates that Smith Rowe must be patient and wait for Fulham recall
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Smith Rowe has not featured since Fulham’s defeat at Ipswich, where they conceded two late goals and lost 2-1.

Since then, Tom Cairney has returned to action, and it seems there is no space for Smith Rowe.

“He was injured two weeks ago, against Hull,” Arbeloa explained.

“I think that was the game where he had some issues. But after that, it’s difficult for every player to be involved in every game, because we have 23 players and it’s not easy for any of them.”

Arbeloa has also given Antonee Robinson his backing – after a poor showing in the midweek Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace.

With Ryan Sessegnon suspended, Robinson will again be in the team for Saturday’s match at Aston Villa.

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Arbeloa said: “I can’t come here to blame any of my players, because I always ask them for maximum effort. I ask them that they need to give everything on the pitch.

“Some days you have a good day, some days you have a really unlucky day, but they need to think about the next game. When they are playing and they make a mistake they need to think about next, next, next.

“Ryan is suspended, so he (Robinson) will start tomorrow. I know Antonee very well and he’s a very good player. He’s so important for us – he’s one of our captains.

“So yes, he’s working so hard, and I think he has the level to give good performances.”