​Arsenal boss Arteta on Smith Rowe/De Bruyne comparison: Let's call him Emile!

Football
12 Jan 2021 • 12:19 PM MYT
Tribal Football
Tribal Football

Tribal Football covers news from the Premier League, LaLiga and Serie A

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta does not want to overhype youngster Emile Smith Rowe.

The Gunners youth team product is showing his quality with the first team this season.

Smith Rowe put in an excellent display, and got a goal, as his side progressed in the FA Cup against Newcastle in the third round at the weekend.

The 20-year-old is being called the "Croydon De Bruyne" by fans, but Arteta wants to keep things simpler.

"Call him Emile. Let's keep it simple. It's just the start and there's a lot to do," he told reporters.

"I've been impressed with his performances and the capacity that he's shown to do it in consecutive games which normally with young players is not something that is very common.

"The other day he came into the game when we needed a different energy and a threat in the box he did exactly what we expected and he scored the goal, which is something that we've been talking to him about.

"There is no message to any senior players," Arteta added. "This is a squad of players with different profiles and everybody has to be pushing each other and trying to make each other better.

"Everybody contributes in a different way because every player is different in the squad."