“What he did made me cry because I was in a lot of pain and unhappy,” said Arsenal star Smith. Rowe was overcome with emotion and comforted by Zinchenko after revealing a very sad and painful story in his post-match interview, which earned him a standing ovation and applause from the entire Arsenal squad.

Arsenal kept up the pressure at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win over Bournemouth but Emile Smith Rowe was clearly upset as he left the pitch.

Goals from Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Ben White, and Kai Havertz, his first since joining Arsenal in a £65 million deal from Chelsea in the summer, sealed a deserved win for Mikel Arteta’s side at the Vitality Stadium.

Smith Rowe, meanwhile, was handed his first start in 499 days earlier this week for Arsenal’s win over Brentford in the Carabao Cup.
The 23-year-old came on as a late substitute in the win over Bournemouth and had an excellent chance to make it five for Arsenal in injury time but he was denied by a fine save from Neto.

After the game, Smith Rowe was evidently unhappy with his failure to score as he was consoled by Oleksandr Zinchenko and Arsenal’s assistant coach Albert Stuivenberg.

Speaking this week, Smith Rowe said he needed to change his mentality in order to secure a regular role in the Arsenal side under Arteta.

Being at a massive club like Arsenal, we know there is so much competition,’ said Smith Rowe.

‘It is always going to be challenging, it is always going to be difficult to cement your place in the team. I have just got to keep believing in myself.

Coming back and not quite getting back into the team, I have had to stay strong in my head and try to stay as positive as I can.

‘I think the gaffer has really helped me with that. He was helping me through my injury and often pulled me for chats about how I can be mentally stronger, stuff like that.’