Arsenal manager Unai Emery has praised the talent of Emile Smith Rowe after he featured in their friendly game against Atletico Madrid.
The 17-year-old midfielder started for the Gunners in a pre-season friendly against Spanish giants Atletico in the International Champions Cup in Singapore.
The North London side ended up losing on penalties after the game finished in a 1-1 draw.
However, the real talking point was the stunning performance of Smith Rowe after he scored a fantastic goal in the game, with boss Emery lavishing praise on the midfielder after the game.
“This is the moment for young players to show their quality like Emile has done today,’ Emery told the Sun.
“For the history of Arsenal, it needs us to work every day with young players to give them their chance to show their quality.
“All my players played very well today but this goal is very good for Emile and for the team.
“He is 17-years-old and has grown up in our academy and we need to give him the chance to play matches like today.
“So for this, I am happy with Emile’s work today, not only today but every day.”
OPINION
This kid looks the real deal. To play with that much quality, freedom and confidence at just 17-year-old is amazing to see, especially from a young English midfielder. The way he took on three defenders, Atletico Madrid defenders by the way, beat them with ease and then curled the ball into the far corner was really special. Unai Emery will have been impressed and will surely give him more minutes in the remainder of their friendly games. England has failed in producing quality midfielders through the countries academy systems in recent years, as shown by performances at major tournaments, but the new breed coming through offer real hope that there is a new generation coming through. Emile Smith Rowe should be the first of a new breed of creative English midfielders, hopefully, he gets the chance to show it in the Premier League very soon.