Rob Edwards has hailed Emile Smith Rowe as 'exceptional' after his man of the match performance in Arsenal's 2-0 win over Luton Town.
Smith Rowe set Arsenal on their way for Martin Odegaard's opening strike before providing the 'assist' for their second - a Daiki Hashioka own goal which Reiss Nelson wanted to claim.
It was just his third start of the league season - his fourth in all competitions - but he underlined his quality with a creative display.
Mail Sport's Isaan Khan gave Smith Rowe an 8 in his player ratings for the match.
Edwards said: 'He’s a really good player. I was lucky enough, he probably won’t remember, but I did a few England camps with him at the Under-20s when I was at the FA and I thought he was outstanding.
'We played Portugal and we won 4-0 in Portugal [in 2019] and I thought he was brilliant and I’ve always been a big admirer of his.
‘I thought he was really good. He’s a top player. They’ve got a lot of top players here and he’s just been unfortunate not to get in but I think he’s an exceptional player.’
With Arsenal bursting at the seams with talent and Smith Rowe having struggled with injuries, it has been a peripheral campaign for the Hale End academy graduate.
Still only 23, there is time for him to break back into the side, but his influence has diminished compared to the 2021/22 season, when he scored 11 goals in 37 outings.
However, with seven more games to come in April - and potentially an eighth if they make the Champions League semi-finals - he could be pivotal in the run-in.
Rotation will be crucial for Mikel Arteta's side as they look to compete on the domestic and European fronts.
A quarter-final assignment against their old nemesis, Bayern Munich, awaits after a clash with Brighton this Saturday.
Arteta made five changes for the Luton match and was pleased with how fringe players such as Smith Rowe, Nelson, and Thomas Partey acquitted themselves.
He said: 'They responded really well and I'm so happy with that. It was a wonderful game.
'When they get their moment, they have to take it and they certainly did today. They give me every reason (to pick them) every day.
'If we had lost the game it would've been because we made the changes and it's not as simple as that. You have to do what is right, what they deserve and it's good confidence.'
'I love him as a player [Smith Rowe]. It's a joy to watch him with the way he moves and how physical he is as well.
'He helped us a lot to win the game also today.'
seoclnuy
0
I think Emile SHOULD be given more 1st team involvement So that Arteta can see who he can play together with. It's a waste of Emile's talent just to warm the bench or not included in the squad.
malablata
0
A future star of our club.....Rowe will row it all.......❤️
SmithBradshaw
0
which Kai the one of Chelsea or arsenal??
a very good question.
Yutbdoryz
1
as a man utd fan, i think smith rowe worth to play more for arsenal once he is fit.. he really a great player for arsernal n i think he is better than martinelli... wish smith rowe the best to come
it's true you are a Man u fan how can be Smith raw be better than Martineli
Mooeilmuz
0
wow 🙏🙏🙏🙏👍👍👍👏💪
Fepbcilnoz
1
Smith is excellent player going forward and create chances however he has two major issues to work on: (1) improve his finishing skills and lean to hit the ball hard. (2) he sucks when the team is in back foot tracking back. He doesn’t know how to be aggressive in wining the ball.
peaceofmind
0
For me, ESR is better than Kai. In any position, for me
which Kai the one of Chelsea or arsenal??
Dublin9
0
Arteta said it takes a second to get better as a player, smith Rowe took it personal 👍👍👍🤝🤝👏👏👏🔥🔥💪
Lol 😂 😂 😂 best underrated comment
jonbdeipt
0
as a man utd fan, i think smith rowe worth to play more for arsenal once he is fit.. he really a great player for arsernal n i think he is better than martinelli... wish smith rowe the best to come
If he's better than Martinelli, then he's the best player on the team.
Deebdeilmu
4
For me, ESR is better than Kai. In any position, for me
Yizabknt
1
Arteta should Smith Rowe on a season-long loan to any of the top 15 teams for playing time, then he will get the best out of him
Papceiklr
5
Arteta said it takes a second to get better as a player, smith Rowe took it personal 👍👍👍🤝🤝👏👏👏🔥🔥💪
malablata
2
I try diving the table into two halves yet Chelsea can't top the bottom half of the table....... This club is disgrace to London...
lazychild226
3
as a man utd fan, i think smith rowe worth to play more for arsenal once he is fit.. he really a great player for arsernal n i think he is better than martinelli... wish smith rowe the best to come