Unai Emery says Emile Smith Rowe’s willingness to listen and learn is helping him progress at Arsenal.
The 18-year-old midfielder came to prominence in the summer when he scored a cracker against Atletico Madrid in a pre-season friendly and this evening, on just his third competitive appearance, he became the Gunners second youngest ever scorer in Europe with a goal in the 3-0 win over Europa League opponents Qarabag.
After his most accomplished first team performance yet, Smith Rowe was on the receiving end of warm words from his coach.
“A little bit of all the qualities he has: physical, mentality and quality with his right foot,” replied Emery when asked what he likes about the teenager.
“Working in combinations with other players. If I can say one condition, for me, it’s his mentality.
“He is humble and he is humble to listen every day in training, in the video analysis and also before the match to continue improving and to keep taking one step more, like today.
“The last matches he played, for example against Brentford, he had three actions in the opposition boxes and didn’t score. But today, he had two and one was a goal. I think this is one step more for him.
“I prefer to not speak a lot about him, because I think it’s best for him to continue to be humble and continue working in every match to keep his feet on the ground.”
Although he was the only one who got on the pitch, Smith Rowe wasn’t the only youngster taken to Baku. Emery made clear that he’s willing to give chances to other Academy prospects too.
“Every player needs to feel that we have the option to give them chances an an opportunity to play with us,” he said.
“Above all, the players with us, they are coming from the academy and today they are here. Deyan Illiev is here also, Eddie Nketiah is here also, and also is Joe Willock.
“We want to give them [opportunities] but also they earned their moments in the pitch because, in pre-season for example, Emile Smith Rowe worked very well with us.
“He knows how we want to play and he is very humble to continue improving and progressing with us and in every training and match, like today.
“I said to him, after he left the match, that before he had one action and with ambition, he can go inside the box and score more.”
Great to know this exciting young talent has a good head on his shoulders, and his feet on the ground. Surprised not to see Nketiah make even the bench.
What’s not to like? Young attacking player with a willingness to work hard. Keep at it, you will be a fan favorite with that attitude and ability.
Probably another reason why we are more willing to let Ramsey go. Old guard British core being replaced by new one – AMN, Holding, Smith-Rowe, Nelson, Nketiah. Love the nutmeg by ESM on their keeper for the goal. OTOH, worth noting Iwobi another great game. Not as effective first half in our 3-4-3 experiment but unleashed to better effect second half with Unai making necessary adjustment. Yet another assist (that’s 4 now with a goal as well in recent matches). MOTM for me. He provides us an outlet and drives us forward eating up real estate and instigating opponents, pulling… Read more »
I’ve been thinking the same thing. That ESR’s emergence is why Ramsey’s offer was rescinded.
I’ve always liked Ramsey. I’ll be sad to see him go, but it’s quite good business to replace expensive players with cheaper players when you can.
I also think it’s time to have another go at a youth project. Young players need direction and discipline. I think Emery would be more successful than Wenger with a squad full of young talent. Of course, it’s probably easier when you have Koscielny there as opposed to Gallas.
A ready made Ramsey replacement?
Shows great composure for one so young, things can only get better.
Because he scored tonight and Ramsey is leaving, I think ESR is already better than Ramsey
But the real question is, is he humble?
How’s your Spanish?
Photo above shows Smith-Rowe flicking the keeper the bird as the ball glides under him, 11/10.
Row, Row
Emile Smith Rowe
Gently down the wing
merely merely merely merely
play like this every game
I hate those red shorts it’s not arsenal colours. Ramsey can leave in january. All who leave arsenal in this manor are destined to fail. Ask rvp hleb wilshere and most recently sanchez. U are replaceable RAMBO. Unai must bench him. His performances hasn’t been good anyways