Emile Smith Rowe and Folarin Balogun have been called up to the England U21 squad for their upcoming internationals.
New boss Lee Carsley has selected the Arsenal duo for a friendly against Romania on September 3rd, before a UEFA U21 EURO qualifier against Kosovo in Milton Keynes on September 7th.
Smith Rowe has represented England at youth levels throughout his career, and has made two appearances for the U21s already.
Balogun, meanwhile, was born in New York and could play for the US at international level. He made his Premier League debut for Arsenal on the opening day of the season, but an appearance at this level for England would not prevent a change if he earned a senior call-up for the USMNT.
Nevertheless, it’s another string to his burgeoning bow, having signed a new long term contract with Arsenal earlier this year.
Fellow Gunner Tyreece John-Jules, currently on loan at Blackpool, is also included. Good luck to the lads.
ESR deserves a senior squad call up tbh
Sympathetic to that view as well – but listening to Jack’s interview this week I was really struck about the number of games he played in 2010-11 (“featured 54 appearances across the ages of 18 and 19”) and how this could have been the start of the injury issues.
I’m happy for him to ease in under less scrutiny and at a less intensive level (for now).
Sounds harsh to blame the player himself but I think a lot of Jack’s injuries were caused by him holding onto the ball till the absolute last millisecond before laying it off, inviting the challenge and commiting his man,but generally resulting in Jack getting totally clattered.ESR doesn’t have that tendency and I hope and pray he continues not to.
It’s a shame Smith Rowe isnt considered for the English first team. Such a talented & tenacious lad.
Weirdly he’s suffering from the same problem that prevented Arteta ever getting a Spain cap – too much talent in his position. That said I’d be surprised if he’s not called up soon, the boy’s so good to watch.
arteta didnt play for spain as he was an average midfielder playing for an average team– not international class
the same can also be said of him as a manager—
now those who wish for arsenal to become consigned to average status in the premier league continue to support him
i for one want him out
Lol everyone on this site used to cry because Arteta wasn’t included in the Spain squad. People tried to say he was better than Busquets. He wasn’t, but he was always easily a good enough midfielder to have gotten capped for any other country at just about any other time. Don’t let your current feelings alter your memories of him as a player. He was talented.
I’m glad he isn’t. England are well stocked in left half-space attacking players (Grealish, Mount, Sterling among others) and he’s a young man with a difficult history of injuries. Obviously I’m sure he’d like to be in Europe, but maybe playing once a week with a bit of rest each international break (assuming the u21 coach is sensible) could be just what he needs in what will be his first-ever full season as a regular in a professional team
Great. But what about signing a right back?
I heard we’re working on signing a device that will allow us to fuse all our right backs into one monstrosity of a right back
I miss Sagna
If you take the first letter of every right back we currently have it actually spells out sagna
Yes. A master at right back for sure.
Which parts would you take of each?
Height and crossing of chambers, pace and tackling of maitland-niles, technical ability and leadership of bellerin which leaves cedric…? mmm maybe cedrics hair or something…
USMNT – United States Mutant Ninja Turtles
Utant Stutant Mutant Ninja Turtles
Surprised the Ox didn’t get a call up now that he’s back to fitness
You meant Gibbs.
Well done lads. 👍🏴
Well done to em. I had kind of just assumed Balogun was American and would play for the USA having never heard him speak. Interested to see where his loyalties will lie further down the line.