Although I think there is a point to be made about having a smaller aircraft to ply the new routes, EK will never fly narrow bodies. EY, QR (and others) have failed to realize this integral part of the business model.
Perhaps the A333 will be smaller or more efficient on the thinner routes (or did they cancel those orders)? One other thing EK seems to do well is to play one manufacturer against the other and I'm sure they get good deals because of it. With the number of Airbus orders coming long after the last 777 arrives they may look Stateside again, but it's not like them to be so late to the party.