Arsenal played Atletico Madrid earlier today, and at the end of 90 minutes the score was 1-1 thanks to a goal from Emile Smith Rowe.
The 17 year old’s second half strike caught the eye, and although we went on to lose the penalty shoot-out, he was a real positive.
He revealed after the game that he only found out last weekend that he was actually going, and was delighted with that decision and to make an impact in the game.
“I found out the Saturday before,” he said when asked when he knew he was part of the squad.
“We had a session in the morning and the kitman came up to me and said ‘Here’s your suitcase, you’re travelling.’
“Since that day, I’ve been so happy and I’ve enjoyed every moment. The players have been so welcoming to me and it’s a dream come true.”
As was scoring a goal of that quality, as he continued, “Honestly, I come on tour thinking I’ll try to impress the manager and play as well as I can but to get a goal is really a dream to me.”
As for his targets for the season ahead, he’s hoping to make an impact in Europe and give Unai Emery something to think about.
“That is my goal, to potentially get into the first team,” he said.
“This season, I’ve got to try to get as many minutes as I can. There’s the Europa league and if I can get a Premier League debut that’ll be good.
“I’m looking to stay here [not go on loan]. I’d like to keep my feet on the ground, keep my head down, work hard.”
Fair play to the lad, he’s definitely caught the manager’s eye with that display.
You can see the goal and read the report here
Credit to our correspondent out in Singapore, Hatta Aziz of boothype.com – for more from the tour, including behind the scenes Instagram stories, check out instagram.com/
I wonder if he had to ask for his mums permission to travel to singapore.
Looks a very good prospect. What a great start he has made. I’d like to see him, Nelson and Nketiah all in and around the first team a lot more this season. If they are to be kept on rather than loaned out they will need more game time to progress.
Good lad, keep your eye on the prize and don’t get sucked into anything silly.
Sounds like a very grounded and humble boy. So excited about this kid.
Saw the highlight of our game against boreham and he won me over one tackle. Praying for him to have a bright future ahead in the game.
He’s got that twinkle toes (dare I say) Cazorla-esque close control
His goal was more like a Jack special?
Looks good, has performed well and is an exciting prospect, I just wish the club would calm down the hype train – instagram videos focusing on his individual performance, custom hashtags that the lad doesn’t even use, having him front and centre of the club website etc.
He’s only 17 and needs time to develop, its one thing fans championing young players as ‘the next big thing’ in pre season (think year on year, Willock, Crowley, The Jeff, Zelalem etc etc), its another when the club jumps on the bandwagon.