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Emile Smith Rowe only touched the ball 29 times for Arsenal against Qarabag, but that was all he needed to make his mark in a memorable day for the young man.
There is a lot of buzz around Arsenal youngster Emile Smith Rowe and it’s plain to see why. Comparisons are rolling in that he resembles a young Jack Wilshere, fearless with the ball, deadly with his intentions, and capable of eviscerating opposing defenders. And at just 18-years-old, that’s a great start.
Speaking of starts, Smith Rowe was given one against Qarabag in the Europa league. He might have been a bit sloppy early on, with clear growing pains going on right before our eyes, he settled in in the second half and was even able to snag his first senior team goal, along with two other Gunners getting their maiden goal as well.
Smith Rowe only touched the ball 29 times, which is incredibly small in the grand scheme. And again, in the first half, he was struggling to settle into the game, but when he did, things started falling into place.
There’s no hiding from the talent that this man has on the ball, as he dribbles like a veteran. He finished the day with three completed dribbles, which was just one behind team-leader and man of the match Alex Iwobi.
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More than that, Smith Rowe was able to learn to control the ball better as the game went on. He reigned in the sloppy touches, he took better care of possession, and that speaks for his understanding of the situation. His side was already up and winning, there was no need to be reckless in an attempt to break the game open.
The maturation process is ongoing for Smith Rowe, but thus far into his tenure, we can see the improvements happening before our very eyes. And the opportunities are going to keep coming so long as that is the case. He has Unai Emery’s attention, as well as all of the attention of the entire fanbase, and that goal was just the crowning achievement.
It was a good day to be Smith Rowe. He broke into the goal category, he solidify himself in the starting XI in these midweek competitions (we will revisit this when Mkhitaryan gets back) and he was able to remind all of us, yet again, why we’re so excited in the first place. And after the game, he couldn’t have been more outspoken about the team, saying, “I feel at home in this team. I train with them every day and everyone’s so welcoming. I’m just happy to [be here].”
Next stop, replacing Aaron Ramsey, am I right?