On the latest edition of The Athletic’s The Next Big Thing podcast, Arsenal’s Emile Smith Rowe was the subject of conversation.
The 20-year-old attacking midfield player spent from January until the end of July this year out on loan with Huddersfield Town in the Championship (as per Transfermarkt) but is now back at the Emirates Stadium and will, in our view, be hoping to force his way into Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta’s thinking sooner rather than later.
On the show, which featured contributions from a number of well-known figures, Adrian Clarke, a former Arsenal player and now the presenter of The Breakdown, which is available via the club’s official channels, had this to say:
“The first time I clapped eyes on Emile Smith Rowe, there was one player that immediately came to my mind and this is a huge compliment to Emile Smith Rowe and it is Kevin De Bruyne. He just looks a little bit like him when he is on the ball, he’s got that dynamism, he’s a box-to-box midfielder that is very, very creative and able to beat his man and drive forward. He whips a good cross in, he’s an excellent passer.”
Can Emile Smith-Rowe force his way into the Arsenal side this season?
Yes
No
TIF Thoughts on Adrian Clarke comparing the Arsenal man to Kevin De Bruyne…
Although in our view, the youngster has a long way to go before he can be put in the same class as the £108m-rated midfielder, we can certainly understand where Clarke is coming from given that some of the strengths he has highlighted are very similar to those of the Manchester City star.
Given that last year, it was argued De Bruyne is the most complete player in world football, Smith Rowe has a lot to live up to, however, he should take encouragement from the fact it appears Arteta blocked a loan move away for him during the latest transfer window – highlighting Arteta’s belief he can succeed at Arsenal.