Emile Smith Rowe has earned high praise from Emmanuel Petit after the former Gunner compared him to Paul Gascoigne.
Smith Rowe broke into the Arsenal first-team late last year and he has remained among the big boys at the club.
He is now a regular starter and even the arrival of Martin Odegaard hasn’t denied him the chance to play regularly for the club.
Alongside Bukayo Saka, Smith Rowe has been a shining light in this Arsenal team when the most senior players have flattered to deceive.
Despite only becoming a regular just before the new year, the midfielder has six assists and two goals for Arsenal in all competitions this season.
Petit says only a few Arsenal players stand out in the team and named the midfielder.
He admits that he loves watching Smith Rowe play and also likes his on-field and off-field attitude.
He said via Star Sports: “The question is simple; how many Arsenal players would you look at and say ‘they’re one of the best in the league in that position’?
“For me, if you look at the last two or three seasons, how many players are exempt of any criticism?
“Three or four, probably: Kieran Tierney and Bernd Leno. I really like Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith-Rowe; the way Smith-Rowe plays really reminds me of Paul Gascoigne. I like his behaviour on and off the pitch.”
Gazza was a one off .
A meteor that burned bright for a short time then self destructed in a ball of burning money hangers on and alcohol.
I can’t see that happening to ESR certainly not under Artetas strict regime as Ozil Saliba Xhaka Guendouzi and Auba have found out.
To be fair there is certain swagger about Martinelli Saka and ESR but
make sure you back it up on the pitch.
ESR Saka Martinelli Balogun Joe Ainsley Eddie Saliba Matteao and Reiss could all be our future and at a reasonable cost too.
As a player , ESR is nothing like Gascoigne.In terms of his personality and demeanour ,I fail to see any similarity.Like many other pundits, Petit tends to speak without much thought I’m afraid.
Manu Petit needs to give up the wacky baccy!
We seem intent on filling our squad with ageing overpaid has-beens from perceived elite clubs. Arteta probably has the remnants of the ” “you can’t win anything with kids” ringing in his ears. We’re not about to win anything worth winning.
I agree with Petit; we have the opportunity to build with young academy graduates for whom the name Arsenal means something. Ageing stars collapse into black holes Arteta, Edu, Venky and Kronke. Don’t weigh us down with those burdens anymore. A fan for more than 50 years