Arsenal: Arteta ranks Emile Smith Rowe chances of England call-up

Emile Smith Rowe has had a remarkable year. Earning his first Premier League start of the season in the Boxing Day victory over Chelsea, he’s registered four assists in 12 games since and transformed the attacking outlook of Arsenal in the No. 10 role.

His performances in the side have had as much impact – if not more – than any other member, helping Arsenal salvage some modicum of pride from a dismal campaign.

With the European Championships to come in the summer, Gareth Southgate is inundated with a wealth of superb attacking talent, an unenviable list to narrow down but one managers across the globe envy to possess.

Emile Smith Rowe won’t be getting a nod for the competition given the sheer volume of options more experienced at international level ahead of him, but his teammate Bukayo Saka is a certainty to be on the plane. And for Mikel Arteta, it’s the 19-year-old who Smith Rowe needs to emulate as he bids for an England call-up.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta ranks Emile Smith Rowe chances of England national team call-up

"“I think it is possible if he shows the same determination as Bukayo, be as humble as he is and play with the personality that he’s done,” Arteta told the Evening Standard.“I think he’s got a great chance. Emile has got all the attributes, all the qualities that’s needed to play for this football club and, in my opinion, to play for the national team. After it is about finding the consistent level that is required, because obviously that level is as good as it gets.“But I think he has shown in moments of this season what he can do. So it is about now doing it for longer periods, adding more assists, more goals, being a threat all the time and working as hard as he has been doing because I think he has been phenomenal for us.”"

Smith Rowe is someone who must be nurtured. He needs time to find full fitness and build his strength, with fans needing to be patient as he grows into a more integral fixture of the squad.

The world is his oyster for what he can achieve, but it’s vital to temper expectations for a player so new to the Premier League scene.

His time will come, even if it’s looking sooner than anticipated given his immense rise.