Emile Smith Rowe says he’s well aware of the qualities that Fabio Vieira will bring to Arsenal having played against the midfielder when England’s under-21s were beaten by their Portuguese counterparts at last summer’s European Championships.
Vieira was his country’s top scorer in qualification and went on to be named the tournament’s best player as Portugal won all their group games – including a 2-0 victory over the Young Lions – before beating Italy and Spain on route to the final. They were eventually defeated 1-0 in the final by Germany.
Vieira’s exploits in Slovakia set him up for an impressive season with Porto which ultimately earned him a €40 million move to Emirates Stadium.
While the 22-year-old is yet to make his debut in pre-season due to a foot injury, Smith Rowe says comparisons with compatriot Bernardo Silva, who plays his football at Manchester City, are bang on.
“He’s very similar [to Silva],” Smith Rowe told the Evening Standard.
“He’s a very good passer of the ball, his left foot is very good and he likes to create goals and score them himself.
“I’ve already played against him at international level, so I can’t speak highly enough of him, and the fans should be really excited. At the Euro Under-21s, they [Portugal] beat us 2-0 and he was unbelievable in that game.”
Smith Rowe has also been impressed by the quick integration of Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian already has three goals to his name in pre-season.
“He’s been fantastic since he came in,” said Smith Rowe.
“It feels like he’s been here for a couple of years. Everyone knows how good he is and we can’t wait to get started with him.
“Man City are a big club and they’ve won a lot recently. It would be good if he could bring that [winning] mentality and help us out.”
Top guy ESR, wants the best for the club even when the guy that might provide it, Vieira, might be threatening his place.
Will love to see ESR develop over time, already a great player.
Yeah he’s definitely showing alot of maturity with this statement, and also it seems like every player in this squad is willing to fight for their place in the starting 11 now, no one taking it for granted or throwing their toys out the pram when not selected. Even Saliba who I think we all thought was holding abit of a grudge is openly saying he’s ready to fight for his spot, great atmosphere all round.
I think sometimes we forget how good ESR was in the first part of last season. He was flying! Getting him back to that level will give us a lot of threat and goals. The second half was partly ruined by injuries and he lost his place to martinelli. But i loooove the fact that ESR and Martinelli will compete and push each other to another level this season, and behind them we now have a portugeese eager to prove himself. Arteta is seeking to make a reeeally competitive squad, and i’m so stoked to see it develop this season!
I’ve mentioned this before, and with the caveat that I am not a doctor (and even if I were, I’m guessing from afar), I am really convinced that Smith Rowe was suffering long-term covid effects. He obviously tired much more quickly than he had. Plus (though this may be something I “saw” because I already thought it was happening) he seemed to lose focus and sometimes seemed lost. This from a player who was the opposite–super sharp, ready to pounce–earlier in the year. For me, the way he was played didn’t make any sense if he was carrying a minor… Read more »
Thing is, ESR isn’t just any random bloody good young player. He’s proper Hale End now firmly established as an integral part of the first team. By the time he’s 30, he’ll have won 3 CLs with us, all as captain. Mark my words.
Amen🙏🏾
As someone else here said so wittily a while back, “who needs Haaland when you have Hale End?”
ESR reminds me of Ray Parlour. One of our own and even though he didnt start every game, was such an important part of the squad for the longest time. I just hope like Ray, his best years are spent with us.
The Croydon Pelé?
Possibly, and definitely a credit to ESR that he embraces the new arrivals and potential competition for starts, but from what I’ve seen Vieira is more of a like-for-like with Odegaard, playing in the right side creative spaces.
It will be interesting to see where Mikel sees ESR on the pitch- in from the left side of the creative/attacking, or more central.
ESR is not an advanced playmaker, Viera and Ode are similar but ESR is different.
Yeh, ESR is a runner, viera and odegaard are creatives from the left center and right center respectively.
Great timing on this interview. Puts my mind at ease. I was starting to think Smith Rowe could be the surprise player that we move on this season.
I really like this squad and how its evolving. The last time I was this excited by the Arsenal squad was the Fabregas era when our young squad then played some beautiful one touch football that at times was out of this world – the Arsene’s famous automatism😁, like we are beginning to see flashes of now, and will hopefully see more of. I can’t wait for the season to start. COYG!
I’m so excited for this season. Really like how tight-knit the squad is. Love the players we’re signing. I feel positive.
Agreed
Nice words from first hand experience though I’d like to hear a player come out with words of caution some day.
Like fans need to get worried about this Silvestre fellow, he’s so error prone or this Welbeck fellow you are getting, you will only have to make up excuses for him but he’s a disaster. If you thought Giroud wasn’t giving you enough with 16 league goals, this new guy can’t out score the fingers on his left palm.
WTF?
I’ll miss the Xhaka/Saka/Laca rhyme, but the “Gab 2 Fab 2 Gab” could be awesome.
So now it’s 3 top players vying for the left wing spot.
This healthy competition is gonna bring the best out of Martinelli, ESR and of course Viera 2.0
As many others have said, I’m getting really excited about this set of players and this project. I haven’t had this feeling since about 2007.
If the magic happens that I can sense happening, we should be able to take 3rd this season and nip at Liverpool’s ankles a bit. Possible title contenders next season.
Would just like to give a shout out to Arteta and Edu for sorting out the shambles of a squad they inherited. Things looking good right now!
Happy with all the signings including the soon-to-be announced Zinchenko deal. One glaring negative is losing Omari Hutchinson.