Arsenal: 3 major benefits of Emile Smith Rowe England call-up

There couldn’t be anyone more deserving of being involved. Having missed out on the initial squad named by Gareth Southgate for the remaining two World Cup qualifiers of the group, Emile Smith Rowe was later drafted in to take Arsenal representation in the camp up to three.

Bukayo Saka has made himself a Three Lions regular. Even if he’s not clocking up the goals and assists numbers that most would like to see him achieve this season, he has cemented his place in a youthful side.

In goal there are strong calls for Aaron Ramsdale to not only be handed his first senior appearances for England but to also dislodge Jordan Pickford as the new number one heading into the World Cup, such has been his magnificent form.

As for Smith Rowe, while his involvement came about as a result of four other members of the squad pulling out for various reasons, he was somewhat unfortunate to miss out in the first place.

https://twitter.com/England/status/1458339139724603393

3 major benefits of Emile Smith Rowe’s England call-up as Arsenal academy stars joins Bukayo Saka and Aaron Ramsdale in the squad

Since September no English forward has clocked up more goal contributions than his six, and his winning goal against Watford was his third in his last three Premier League outings. His tally of four in 11 top-flight outings is already double that he managed in 20 appearances last campaign.

His form has been hard to ignore. Even with the wealth of attacking options Gareth Southgate has to choose from, the like that got England to their first major final since 1966 over the summer, competition for places is fierce. Yet on his current form and trajectory, this involvement is set to be more frequent.

A wonderful achievement for him, his rise up to this point has been quite remarkable. Just 12 months prior he had only one Premier League appearance to his name. He also didn’t cost £73m, but that’s point scoring and we won’t go there…will we? Too late.

There is so much to be joyous about as Arsenal supporters and the whole situation brings nothing but positive notes. Here are three of them.

1. Emile Smith Rowe Needs the Self Belief

Upon the completion of Mesut Ozil’s Arsenal contract and the resulting availability of the No. 10, many expected that to be reserved for the heavily touted new creative midfield addition. In the background was talk over a new contract for Smith Rowe, and the Hale Ender’s desire to assume that number spoke volumes of his confidence.

With it comes huge responsibility, but he never shied away from it.

Yet, Mikel Arteta said back in mid-October that Smith Rowe has to believe in himself even more. Confidence is key as a player and despite the ever improving performances he’s putting in, the mental side of his game needs work.

"“Emile is naturally like this (humble),” Arteta said. “If anything, sometimes you have to tell him how good he is. “He needs to believe how good he is. You have to encourage him to try [things] he’s capable of doing. He’s a joy to work with. It’s still very early in his career but we’re really happy to have him in the team.”"

What better boost of confidence can you have than being called up to the squad that reached the final of the 2020 European Championships? If what Arsenal supporters are seeing is a Smith Rowe not yet fully on board with the concept of him being an excellent footballer, then this can only help.

Admitting he felt nervous coming into St George’s Park to meet his teammates, these experiences will help him realise that he is deserving of being in this tier of player. There is still a long way to go, of course, but the boost it will give him and drive him on to even bigger and better things.

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