Rio Ferdinand believes Emile Smith Rowe has been the key player to Arsenal's excellent unbeaten run and has compared him to the club's former midfield stars Robert Pires and Alexander Hleb.
After a dreadful start to the season that saw them bottom after three games, Arsenal have since gone on a 10-match undefeated streak in all competitions, with Mikel Arteta's side having surged up the table into European contention as well as the quarter-finals of the League Cup.
While former Manchester United defender Ferdinand praised the whole team ethic of the Gunners, he singled out Smith Rowe for playing a starring role.
Speaking before Smith Rowe's England call-up on Tuesday, he said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents FIVE YouTube channel that: ‘There’s a team, there’s a united team. There’s a togetherness that I haven’t seen at Arsenal for a long time.
‘There’s nobody doing more right now than Emile Smith Rowe.'
Ferdinand compared the midfielder to Robert Pires, who was a key member of the last Arsenal side to win the league 17 years ago where they went the season unbeaten becoming known as the 'Invincibles.'
But the former United star also claimed the 21-year-old also had a similar style to Alexander Hleb who also impressed in north London before leaving for Barcelona in 2008.
‘He reminds me, with more end product it seems right now and I think he’ll go onto levels, his style is a little bit Hleb, Ferdinand added.'
‘He plays low, socks similar, the way he moves and manipulates the ball, can keep people off balance all game. He’s got a bit of Hleb about him!
He’s got a Robert Pires vibe a little bit.’
Arsenal rejected offers from Aston Villa over the summer before tying down Smith Rowe to a new five-year deal.
The midfielder has featured in all but one of Arsenal's games this term, and already has four league goals including three in his previous three matches.
With Arsenal now sitting sixth in the table and looking set to battle for a Champions League spot, Smith Rowe has been rewarded for his superb start to the season with a call-up to the England squad in place of Marcus Rashford.
dicadikoty
18
Arsenal can even win the league title if the momentum keeps on rising. Judging from their last eight league matches, they gained 20 points out of possible 24 points. Tell me which team from the top to the fifth position that is better considering the last eight league matches?. I believe it's now that we can see the true manifestation of what Arteta learned from Guadiola the great tactician. I'm a strong Arsenal fan for Arsenal over 40 years of my life but i love and cherish Guadiola's style of play. If not because of my faithfulness to Arsenal as my childhood club, i would have followed Guadiola anywhere he goes. I'm 50 years by my age now and i will still follow Arsenal in the next 50 years as long as God Almighty keeps me. Gunner for the league title! Gunner for my generation! Gunner for life!.
Gunners4ever❤
17
No need for comparisons. Smith Rowe will build his own legacy at the Arsenal. He is already a vital player to us at his age that's amazing🔥🔥