Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has outlined the mood of backup star Emile Smith Rowe.

The attacking midfielder, an academy graduate, has not been in favour with Arteta for the past year.

Smith Rowe barely featured last season, while he has not been given significant minutes this term either.

Asked if he spoke with Smith Rowe about a possible exit, Arteta told reporters: “Obviously, I have conversations with him and it's important for him to understand where he is.

“It was always going to be tricky in the first three or four weeks, not just for us, but for all of the clubs when you see all of the rumours about all of the players that are not playing and are unhappy.

“Not only in this country, but in every country because it's one game per week, for a month and everybody has started the new season with huge aspirations and there's not minutes for everybody, but September will be very different."