Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse /.
Emile Smith-Rowe could be a pivotal player for Arsenal with Danny Murphy comparing the young playmaker to Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish speaking to talkSPORT (Jan 4, 12:50 pm).
It’s no coincidence that Arsenal have embarked on their best run of results this season – three straight Premier League wins and eight goals scored – since Mikel Arteta pushed a London-born 20-year-old into the background.
Smith-Rowe has had an immediate and transformative impact on Arsenal’s fortunes, providing the verve, speed and incision they sorely lacked in the final third.
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How footballers’ salaries have changed since 2005
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The academy graduate inspired the demolition of Chelsea on Boxing Day, shone against Brighton and fitted in perfectly with Bukayo Saka during Saturday’s 4-0 win at West Brom.
And, with his socks hanging low and his potential skyrocketing, Murphy sees similarities between Smith-Rowe and arguably the fittest player in the division: Jack Grealish with a £ 100 million rating.
“What a young player (Smith-Rowe) he is,” says the former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder.
“It has been pushed into a pressure situation in the Premier League and it has had a great impact.
“He has a good touch, a lot of conscience, he threatens the goal, he doesn’t mind running without the ball (and he’s also) physically capable.
Peter Powell’s photo – Pool /.
“It reminds me a bit of a mix between (former Arsenal schemer) Alexander Hleb, with his close control and great dribbling skills, and a bit of Grealish-y, and not just because his socks are ankle-deep!
“From the way it happens to people, I thought he was brilliant against West Brom. It could be essential for Arsenal.
With Smith-Rowe, Saka and the return of Gabriel Martinelli finally getting a streak of games for Arteta, who was previously under fire, Arsenal have shot out of the relegation battle and are just shy of the top seven.
Also, Smith-Rowe’s introduction seems to have brought out the best of the mercurial Alexandre Lacazette. The France international had his best performance in months at the Hawthorns.
Photo by FRANK AUGSTEIN / POOL /. through .
In other news, Report: Christian Eriksen’s mindset amid West Ham and PSG interest
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