RB Leipzig manager Ralf Rangnick has confirmed that the club have told Arsenal they’re interested in loaning Emile Smith Rowe again next season, despite the player’s injury problems.

Smith Rowe joined Leipzig on loan in January, but he’s only made one two-minute appearance for the club so far, as he battles with a groin injury. Nonetheless, the 18-year-old’s attitude and performances in training have impressed his loan club, and they’re already thinking about the possibility of bringing him back next season.

“We had two representatives from Arsenal here,” Rangnick said. “They observed training and also talked to Emile. In conversation with them, we have already put forward that we are interested in another loan.”

When fit, Smith Rowe is proving himself as one of the most talented members of the Arsenal academy. He was consistently impressive for the u18s before stepping up to the u23s without any problems last season. Then he was just as effective in the first team this campaign, scoring three goals in his opening six appearances for Unai Emery’s side.

It’s a shame this first loan spell hasn’t been able to do much to further his development so far, though the experience of a new country and new training regimes will surely be beneficial to the midfielder. We’ll have to wait and see whether Arsenal want to loan him out again though, and whether they think Leipzig is the right place for him.