Emile Smith-Rowe saved my coaching career at Arsenal - Mikel Arteta

Mikel Arteta has revealed the player who helped to save his job at Arsenal when the team wasn't performing well last season. 

According to  Arteta, Emile Smith-Rowe played a key role in turning the results around at the Emirates stadium.

If you recall that the 22-year-old finished the campaign with 10 goals for Arsenal in all competitions last season.

Mikel was under pressure after fans were calling for his sack last year December. The Gunners were heading for 56-day winless run after they suffered a succession of embarrassing defeats at the Emirates to Aston Villa, Wolves, Burnley and Manchester City.

But things turned the corner after victory against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium on Boxing Day. 

Goals from Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Smith Rowe scored in the absence of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Willian in their 3-1 win.

“There was a huge wall, it was really difficult for them,” said Arteta.

“That game came at a really important moment. I don’t like to single out a player, but I think probably Emile Smith Rowe – that is the moment where he really appears into the picture and something changed and that helped shift momentum big time.”

The Gunners travel to the Molineux stadium on Saturday evening clash against Wolves.

Arsenal could open five points gap with a win after second placed Manchester City suffered 2-1 defeat to Brentford.