Arsenal manager Unai Emery gave youngster Emile Smith Rowe his debut against Vorskla in the Europa League last night.
The midfielder came on for Alex Iwobi with 20 minutes to go in the 4-2 victory. After the game, the 18-year-old took to Twitter to express his delight at his first senior appearance:
Proud moment making my @EuropaLeague debut tonight..?? thanks for all the support..???? pic.twitter.com/ZZce5TMfkU
— Emile Smith Rowe (@emilesmithrowe_) 20 September 2018
Fans were quick to praise Smith Rowe after his performance:
Better thsn Ramsey Atm
— K_rossi (@K__rossi) 21 September 2018
Good performance, keep it up ????????????????
— JD (@JD___8) 21 September 2018
You are a star u rocked
— Kabuye Tonny (@tonny_kabuye) 21 September 2018
Far better than guendouzi
— Sai Lifeless (@hamadudu) 21 September 2018
Very bright @Arsenal future ahead ????????????
— Ryan Jones (@ryanf_jones) 21 September 2018
You were very impressive! Good luck…
— Paul Bourdin (@paul_bourdin) 21 September 2018
You were brilliant to watch. Hardwork and determination is all you need to get to the very top. Good luck on that
— jimhalimat@yahoo.com (@jimhally) 21 September 2018
Some of the dribbling was awesome tonight, a little work on the passing and you'll be awesome soon.
— Ryan Woodward (@RyanIsAWood) 20 September 2018
Awesome display! You truly had an impact on the game ????????????????????
— Matt (@Mattcatdog) 20 September 2018
You did great when you came on. There will be many more appearances for you and for us to enjoy. Keep up the good work!
— Paddy Corkscrew (@rabal) 20 September 2018
It’s great to see Emery giving Arsenal’s youngsters a chance. Especially with a new manager, when the pressure is on to get results, it would have been easy to keep with tried and tested senior players.
However, the Gunners boss has clearly seen something in Smith Rowe which has persuaded him that he is ready for first-team action already.
The England Under 19 international impressed for Arsenal Under 21s in the EFL Trophy earlier this month. He scored in the 3-0 victory over Coventry’s senior side.
Eddie Nketiah and Joe Willock also scored in the match, with the trio all being hotly tipped to be playing first-team football in the not too distant future.
