Rowe in Covid period

Emile Smith-Rowe reveals why he was rejected by Chelsea

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09: Emile Smith Rowe of Arsenal celebrates with teammates (L-R) Bukayo Saka, Cedric Soares and Alexandre Lacazette after scoring their sides first goal during the FA Cup Third Round match between Arsenal and Newcastle United at Emirates Stadium on January 09, 2021 in London, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Smith Rowe reveals why he failed his trial at Chelsea

Emile Smith Rowe running past defenders. Playing one-twos with teammates to cut open rigid defenses. Scoring goals and assisting.

Most of that has happened at the heart of North London, the Emirates Stadium.

But things could easily have been very different. Smith Rowe, who Arsenal fans adore, went to Chelsea as a youngster for a trial.

But the 21-year-old was rejected, when he was seven or eight years old, by the blue team of London.

ā€œI went in for about three or four weeks but, at the time, I was quite small, really skinny and just kept getting pushed off the ball,ā€ he tells The Guardian.

He continued, ā€œI wasn’t getting involved and touching the ball enough. That’s what it felt like, why I didn’t get in.ā€

Arsenal fans would be glad and smiling right now, with the way things have panned out since. Smith Rowe is their player. He is their hero now.

In the interview, Smith Rowe also claimed that he was approached by Arsenal’s arch-rivals Tottenham Hots*ur as a teenager. However, after joining the Gunners at the age of 10, he didn’t see himself anywhere else.

Good for him and the Arsenal fans. The former has developed into a fantastic young international player for England. While the latter have enjoyed the Smith Rowe rollercoaster ride, since he made his Premier League debut against Chelsea last Christmas.

It’s an X-mas gift that keeps on giving.

Yash Bisht

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