The Arsenal youngster Emile Smith-Rowe obviously impressed the new coach Unai Emery in pre-season training as he only heard at the last minute that was even going on tour with the first team squad. The 17 year-old was understandably ecstatic! He told Arsenal.com: “To play with the first team, to get my opportunity is a bit surreal to be honest,”
“I’m just so happy. I found out (I was going on tour) the day before. The kitman gave me a suitcase and said ‘you are travelling to Singapore’. Since then I couldn’t stop smiling. It’s been a crazy experience so far. I’ve enjoyed every moment of it.”
After playing an hour against Atletico yesterday, and scoring Arsenal’s only goal of the game, he is now hopeful of get another chance against PSG tomorrow, and what an 18th birthday present that would be. “Yes, it’s my birthday on Saturday,” Smith Rowe said. “I turn 18, so if I get on it will be crazy!”
I think any youngster would love to get a present like that, and it is likely to come true after yesterday’s performance. And as for his first ever goal for the Gunners, he described it like this: “I played a one-two with Aubameyang, one of their players tried to play it back, and I obviously got it,”
“Then I saw a bit of space, and I thought ‘you know what, let me try, see what happens.’ I had time to shoot, so I just thought ‘let me try, have a chance’, and luckily it just went in. I slipped, but I’m very happy anyway.”
And so he should be, and I think all Arsenal fans are looking forward to seeing him scoring goals like that for the rest of his playing career as well!
Sam P